Health risk assessment and heavy metal contamination levels in vegetables from Tamale Metropolis, Ghana

One major route of heavy metal exposure/ accumulation to humans is via vegetable consumption. The study assessed the levels of heavy metals and their associated health risk in frequently consumed vegetables in...

Authors: Samuel Teye Ametepey, Samuel Jerry Cobbina, Felix Jerry Akpabey, Abudu Ballu Duwiejuah and Zita Naangmenyele Abuntori

Pesticides residue analysis in yam from selected markets across Ghana and Belgium: an evaluation of the QUECHERS method

In recent years, concerns have been raised in Ghana regarding the use of pesticides in yamproduction to the extent that it is feared that pesticides residues may be found in the yam tuber which isconsumed by m...

Authors: Abukari Wumbei, David Senaeve, Michael Houbraken and Pieter Spanoghe

Microbial quality of ready-to-eat vegetable salads vended in the central business district of Tamale, Ghana

Food safety problems still persist across the globe and remain a challenge to the general public and government. The study determined the microbiological quality of pre-cut vegetable salads sold in the Central...

Authors: Godwin Abakari, Samuel Jerry Cobbina and Enoch Yeleliere

Occurrence and antimicrobial susceptibility profile of Escherichia coli O157:H7 from food of animal origin in Bishoftu town, Central Ethiopia

Escherichia coli O157:H7 (E. coli O157:H7) have frequently been associated with food borne illness and are considered as most serious of known food borne pathogens leading to severe illnesses and high mortality r...

Authors: Segni Bedasa, Daniel Shiferaw, Ashebr Abraha and Tesfanesh Moges

Ochratoxin A in black pepper, white pepper and clove sold in Yaoundé (Cameroon) markets: contamination levels and consumers’ practices increasing health risk

Spices are widely consumed in Cameroon, but there is no data available concerning their mycotoxin contamination. A cross-sectional study was conducted from February to June 2017 to assess the occurrence of Och...

Authors: Evelyne Nguegwouo, Lucien Etame Sone, Alex Tchuenchieu, Hippolyte Mouafo Tene, Emile Mounchigam, Nico Frederic Njayou and Gabriel Medoua Nama

Penicillin-G and oxytetracycline residues in beef sold for human consumption in Maroua, Cameroon

The contamination of food by chemical hazards is a worldwide public health concern and is a leading cause of trade problems internationally. Based on former work describing the prevalent use and misuse of anti...

Authors: Ronald Romuald B. Vougat Ngom, Rebecca B. Garabed, Wilson K. Rumbeiha, Harquin Simplice Foyet, Dwayne E. Schrunk, Dahai Shao and André Zoli Pagnah

Human health risk assessment of cyanide levels in water and tuber crops from Kenyasi, a mining community in the Brong Ahafo Region of Ghana

Cyanide is among the most harmful substances on Earth and it is harmful to humans and most aquatic life even at low concentrations. Free, total cyanide levels and other physicochemical parameters were determin...

Authors: Edward Ebow Kwaansa-Ansah, Leticia Peace Amenorfe, Edward Kwaku Armah and Francis Opoku

Bacillus Cereus isolation and load from raw cow milk sold in Markets of Haramaya District, eastern Ethiopia

Bacillus cereus is a spore-forming bacterium that is widely distributed in the environment and can be detected in a variety of raw milk and milk products especially in vegetative form,...

Authors: Ashebr Abraha, Teshome Bikila, Sisay Alemu and Yimer Muktar

Determination of methanol and ethanol concentrations in local and foreign alcoholic drinks and food products (Banku, Ga kenkey, Fante kenkey and Hausa koko) in Ghana

It is believed that higher methanol content may be present in some alcoholic drinks produced by traditional distilleries or some alcohol brewing companies. As a result of this, there could be a higher risk of ...

Authors: Samuel Kofi Tulashie, Amponsah Preko Appiah, George Dzidefo Torku, Albert Yaw Darko and Augustus Wiredu

Health risks due to consumption of pesticides in ready-to-eat vegetables (salads) in Kumasi, Ghana

Pesticide residue levels were determined in ready-to-eat vegetables collected from 16 sites along the food chain; which is, farms, markets, cafeterias and street food vending sites in Kumasi, Ghana. The aim of...

Authors: Samuel Akomea-Frempong, Isaac W. Ofosu, Emmanuel de-Graft Johnson Owusu-Ansah and Godfred Darko

Incidence of enteric pathogens in ugba, a traditional fermented food from African oil bean seeds (Pentaclethra macrophylla)

The lack of good production practices and probable post-fermentation contaminations contribute to bacterial pathogen load in ugba, a fermented food made from African oil been seeds (Pentaclethra macrophylla Benth...

Authors: Princewill Chimezie Okorie, Nurudeen Ayoade Olasupo, Felicia Ngozi Anike, Gloria Nwakego Elemo and Omoanghe Samuel Isikhuemhen

Assessment of pesticide residue levels among locally produced fruits and vegetables in Monze district, Zambia

The use of pesticides in fruits and vegetable production is beneficial for preventing, destroying or repelling pests that may damage these crops. The use of these chemicals however, often leads to the presence...

Authors: Mildred Mwanja, Choolwe Jacobs, Allan Rabson Mbewe and Nosiku Sipilanyambe Munyinda

Microbial profile of common spices and spice blends used in Tamale, Ghana

The main purpose of using spice to grill meat is to add aroma, colour, flavour, taste and pungency. However, the purpose is sometime befitted when spice is contaminated with pathogenic bacteria that result in ...

Authors: Noel Bakobie, Amponsah Samuel Addae, Abudu Ballu Duwiejuah, Samuel Jerry Cobbina and Solomon Miniyila

Heavy metal accumulation and health risk assessment in wastewater-irrigated urban vegetable farming sites of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Wastewater irrigation for vegetable production is a highly prevalent practice in Addis Ababa and a number of articles have been published on wastewater-irrigated soils and vegetables contaminated with heavy me...

Authors: Desta Woldetsadik, Pay Drechsel, Bernard Keraita, Fisseha Itanna and Heluf Gebrekidan

Erratum to: Assessment of awareness of mycotoxins infections in stored maize (Zea mays L.) and groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) in Kilosa District, Tanzania

Authors: K. S. Magembe, M. W. Mwatawala, D. P. Mamiro and E. E. Chingonikaya

A human health risk assessment of lead (Pb) ingestion among adult wine consumers

Recent concerns have been raised regarding heavy metal content in wine and its potential health implications. The goal of this study was to determine if lead (Pb) intake poses a health risk among adult consume...

Authors: Kevin M. Towle, Lindsey C. Garnick and Andrew D. Monnot

Occurrence of ingression of Salmonella spp. in Betel leaf (Piper betle L.)

Salmonella spp. is one of the most common pathogens associated with fresh produce related foodborne illness. This study aimed to determine Salmonella spp. contamination level in betel ...

Authors: Md. Fakruddin, Razia Sultana, Md. Nur Hossain, Md. Mizanur Rahaman, Md. Kamrul Islam and Monzur Morshed Ahmed

Assessment of sulphonamides and tetracyclines antibiotic residue contaminants in rural and peri urban dairy value chains in Kenya

Antibiotic residues are drug substances found in food from plants or animals initially exposed to antibiotics. In animal husbandry antibiotics have widely been used for the treatment of animal diseases. These ...

Authors: Joy Deborah Orwa, Joseph Wafula Matofari, Patrick Simiyu Muliro and Peter Lamuka

A pilot study to assess lead exposure from routine consumption of coffee and tea from ceramic mugs: comparison to California Safe Harbor Levels

Lead (Pb) is a pervasive metal that can be found in, and potentially leached from, ceramics, particularly into acidic foods and beverages. The purpose of this study was to investigate potential lead exposure ...

Authors: Grace L. Anderson, Lindsey Garnick, Mai S. Fung and Shannon H. Gaffney

Microbiological quality of lettuce (Lactuca sativa) irrigated with wastewater in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and effect of green salads washing methods

In Addis Ababa, where irrigation water for vegetable production is commonly derived from the highly polluted Akaki river, information on microbial contamination of water and irrigated vegetable is scanty. An a...

Authors: Desta Woldetsadik, Pay Drechsel, Bernard Keraita, Fisseha Itanna, Berhanu Erko and Heluf Gebrekidan

Destabilization and off-flavors generated by Pseudomonas proteases during or after UHT-processing of milk

Pseudomonads play a major role in the spoilage of UHT processed dairy products, due to their growth-related protease production in raw milk.

Authors: Sophie Marchand, Barbara Duquenne, Marc Heyndrickx, Katleen Coudijzer and Jan De Block

Bacteriological milk quality: possible hygienic factors and the role of Staphylococcus aureus in raw bovine milk in and around Gondar, Ethiopia

In Ethiopia, around 97% of the annual milk production is accounted by the traditional milk processing system using on-farm traditional milk processing materials that are generally poor in processing capacity,...

Authors: Betelihem Tegegne and Shimels Tesfaye

Common milk adulteration and their detection techniques

Food adulteration is a global concern and developing countries are at higher risk associated with it due to lack of monitoring and policies. However, this is one of the most common phenomena that has been over...

Authors: Tanzina Azad and Shoeb Ahmed

Presence of organochlorine pesticides in xoconostle (Opuntia joconostle) in the central region of Mexico

Mexico has many natural resources for use in the food industry. In recent years Xoconostle, which is considered as a traditional food, has gained importance due to key its components such as fiber, antioxidant...

Authors: José J. Pérez, Rutilio Ortiz, María L. Ramírez, Javier Olivares, Daniel Ruíz and David Montiel

Assessing the potential for Salmonella growth in rehydrated dry dog food

A substantial percentage of dog owners add water to dry dog food to increase its palatability. The recent association of Salmonella contamination of dry pet foods with salmonellosis cases in both dogs and their o...

Authors: Ruth A. Oni, Elisabetta Lambertini and Robert L. Buchanan