Content and Health Risk Assessment of Total Aflatoxins in the Retailed Beef Luncheon, Sausage, and Pasterma in Zagazig City, Egypt

Abstract

Meat products represent an important source of animal-derived protein. However, meat products are also implicated as a potential source of human exposure to some chemical residues such as aflatoxins (AFTs). The objectives of the present study were first to estimate the total AFTs content in the retailed meat products (beef luncheon, sausage, and pasterma) in Sharkia governorate, Egypt. Besides, dietary intake and potential health risks for the Egyptian population associated with the consumption of AFTs-contaminated meat products were further calculated. The obtained results revealed that pasterma had significantly the highest AFTs content, followed by luncheon, and sausage respectively. Calculation of the daily intakes of the total AFTs revealed that consumption of bovine meat products represents a potential source for dietary exposure to total AFTs. However, the calculation of the margin of exposure of total AFTs among the Egyptian population based on the average consumption of meat products revealed that such meat products might not possess a cancer risk among Egyptian adults and children. In general, excessive consumption of such meat products should be avoided for long-life protection against AFTs-related cancer risk.