Detection of lead and cadmium in some colored dry food products quick-prepared

Abstract

In the present study, the concentrations of two heavy metals lead and cadmium (Pb, and Cd) in 26 different of dried fruit, chips, and pasta samples of various brands (Orange, Mango, Pear, green Apple, read apple, Banana, Normal melon, Pineapple melon, Coconut, Lemon) were determined by Flame Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy after wet digestion. Samples were collected from different stores in Baghdad market, Iraq. The average concentration of Cd mg/kg in the selected analyzed samples was 0.0220-0.2261 for pasta, 0.0467-0.2797 for chips, 0.0385-0.2261 for dried fruit. For Pb mg/kg were 0.0090-0.0167 for pasta, not detected-0.0626 for chips, 0.0031-0.088 for dried fruit. The highest concentrations of Cd were found in chips, and the highest of Pb were found in dried fruit. The concentrations of the highly toxic metals (Pb and Cd) in all analyzed samples were found to be below or equivalent with the permissible limits set by different health organizations, including Iraqi Standards. The contamination of these products could be a significant source of consumer exposure to heavy metals when these products are a part of life.