Mohamed et al. 2023 — Lead, mercury, arsenic, and cadmium in chilled and frozen beef, Sharkia province, Egypt
This study measured Pb, Hg, As, and Cd in 30 beef samples (15 chilled, 15 frozen) collected from retail stores in Sharkia Governorate, Egypt, and assessed human health risk via estimated daily intake, hazard quotient, and hazard index. Lead exceeded the maximum permissible limit in 53.3% of chilled and 66.6% of frozen samples. Arsenic exceeded permissible levels in all chilled and frozen samples. Cadmium was within permissible limits in all samples. Mercury was undetectable in chilled samples and absent in 67% of frozen samples. EDI was below the oral reference dose for all metals except As, where 46.7% of chilled and 60% of frozen samples exceeded the RfD. THQ for As and HI for all metals exceeded 1 in 33.3% of chilled and 46.7% of frozen samples.
Key numbers
- n = 30 (15 chilled + 15 frozen beef)
- Chilled meat mean concentrations (mg/kg): Pb 0.64 ± 0.14; Hg not detected; Cd 0.02 ± 0.14; As 4.66 ± 0.57
- Frozen meat mean concentrations (mg/kg): Pb 0.89 ± 0.21; Hg 0.08 ± 0.03; Cd 0.02 ± 0.004; As 5.32 ± 0.59
- Frozen samples had higher HM concentrations than chilled in general
- Pb above MPL: 53.3% chilled, 66.6% frozen
- As above MPL: 100% of both chilled and frozen
- Cd within MPL: 100% of both
- Hg: undetected in all chilled; not detected in 67% of frozen
- EDI below RfD for all metals except As (46.7% chilled and 60% frozen above As RfD)
- HI > 1 in 33.3% of chilled and 46.7% of frozen samples
- Method: AAS with wet digestion
- Journal: Open Veterinary Journal (OVJ)
Methods (brief)
Atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS) following wet digestion. n=30 retail beef samples (15 chilled, 15 frozen). Health risk: EDI, THQ, HI. Sharkia Governorate, Egypt.
Implications
Certification: Elevated Pb and As in Egyptian retail beef; As values (4.66–5.32 mg/kg mean) are exceptionally high and may reflect analytical or speciation issues warranting review of methodology or matrix context (total As includes organic forms). Courses: Illustrates contamination of red meat with multiple heavy metals at retail level; HM levels in frozen vs. chilled comparison is instructive. App: Beef sourced from Egypt or similar contexts with high background agricultural As and Pb contamination should carry elevated flags. Microbiome: Not applicable.