Department of Life Sciences, Central University of Technology, Private Bag X20539, Bloemfontein 9301, South Africa.
Centre for Sustainable SMART Cities, Central University of Technology, Private Bag X20539, Bloemfontein 9301, South Africa.
Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 May 28;18(11):5795. doi: 10.3390/ijerph18115795.
Historically, chemicals exceeding maximum allowable exposure levels have been disastrous to underdeveloped countries. The global food industry is primarily affected by toxic chemical substances because of natural and anthropogenic factors. Food safety is therefore threatened due to contamination by chemicals throughout the various stages of food production. Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) in the form of pesticides and other chemical substances such as Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) have a widely documented negative impact due to their long-lasting effect on the environment. This present review focuses on the chemical contamination pathways along the various stages of food production until the food reaches the consumer. The contamination of food can stem from various sources such as the agricultural sector and pollution from industrialized regions through the air, water, and soil. Therefore, it is imperative to control the application of chemicals during food packaging, the application of pesticides, and antibiotics in the food industry to prevent undesired residues on foodstuffs. Ultimately, the protection of consumers from food-related chemical toxicity depends on stringent efforts from regulatory authorities both in developed and underdeveloped nations.
从历史上看，超过最大允许暴露水平的化学物质对欠发达国家是灾难性的。由于自然和人为因素，全球食品工业主要受到有毒化学物质的影响。因此，由于在食品生产的各个阶段受到化学物质的污染，食品安全受到威胁。由于其对环境的持久影响，以农药和多氯联苯（PCBs）等其他化学物质形式存在的持久性有机污染物（POPs）造成了广泛记录在案的负面影响。本综述重点介绍了食品生产各个阶段的化学污染途径，直到食品到达消费者手中。食品污染可能来自农业部门和工业化地区通过空气、水和土壤造成的污染等各种来源。因此，必须控制食品包装过程中化学物质的应用、食品工业中农药和抗生素的应用，以防止食品中出现不希望有的残留。最终，消费者免受与食品相关的化学毒性的保护取决于发达国家和欠发达国家的监管机构的严格努力。
