A longitudinal assessment of aluminum contents in foodstuffs and aluminum intake of residents in Tianjin metropolis

Abstract

Aim In this report, we retrieved and analyzed the data of aluminum contents in foodstuffs over a 6‐year span between 2010 and 2015 and assessed the risk of dietary aluminum exposure in residents of Tianjin metropolis. Methods A multistage random clustering method was used to survey Tianjin residents between 2010 and 2015. Samples were mainly purchased from breakfast vendors, farmers’ markets, and supermarkets in Tianjin between 2009 and 2015. A total of 1,814 persons aged at least 2 years from 1,262 households from randomly chosen communities were asked to complete the questionnaire on food consumption. Aluminum contents in the food samples were determined. Results Totally 21.14% of food samples exceeded the recommended aluminum residue limit over the study period. The mean aluminum levels in the food samples over the 6‐year span were 111.9 7 ± 265.26 mg/kg, and the mean P95 was 597.00 mg/kg. Totally 21.14% of the food samples exceeded the recommended aluminum residue limit (100 mg/kg). The lowest mean aluminum levels in food were detected in 2010, and the highest levels were found in 2015. The highest mean aluminum levels were found in jellyfish. The highest total mean aluminum intake in food was 83.61 mg/day in those aged at least 50 years and younger than 66 years. Meanwhile, children aged at least 2 years and less than 8 years had the highest mean weekly aluminum intake (18.19 mg/kg body weight/week); they also had the highest MOS (18.19). Conclusion The findings indicate that despite the implementation since 2014 of the new policy on the use of aluminum food additives in China, residents in Tianjin still face high levels of aluminum exposure in foodstuffs with young children particularly vulnerable. Public awareness of the new policy should be enhanced, and more vigorous supervision of the use of aluminum food additives should be undertaken.

A Systematic Review of Risk Assessment Associated with Jellyfish Consumption as a Potential Novel Food

“…Furthermore, a study showed that, during product preparation, parameters such as exposure processing time, temperature, and the amount of alum used influence the retention and therefore the total concentration of aluminum in jellyfish tissues [25]. According to another study conducted by Ma et al [30], a very low concentration of aluminum in fish products was observed, while on the contrary, high values of this metal were found in jellyfish caught in the same area.…”

“…Another limit is the exiguous quantity of studies (one) about microbiological risk [17]. As concerns the chemical risk, we have to consider that the study conducted by Ma et al [30] refers to a Chinese city, Tianjin, where the policies governing the amount of aluminum food additives have not been respected and, consequently, it cannot be affirmed whether or not the results of this work are generalizable. Yang et al [32] in their study report other three limitations.…”

“…Other three works have been conducted in three Chinese cities and they have analyzed aluminum contents in jellyfish that are commonly consumed by people [30][31][32]. Ma et al [30] have conducted a 6-year study (between 2010 and 2015) to assess the risk of dietary aluminum exposure in residents of Tianjin metropolis. Totally, 21.14% of food samples exceeded the recommended aluminum residue limit over the study period (100 mg/Kg).…”

Jellyfish as Food: A Narrative Review

“…Three other studies [ 71 , 72 , 73 ] that examined Al content in the jellyfish often eaten by people were carried out in three cities in China. Ma et al [ 71 ] studied residents in the Tianjin metropolis for 6 years from 2010 to 2015, and determined the risk of being exposed to dietary Al. During their research, 21.14% of the food samples contained more Al residue than that recommended (100 mg/kg).…”

Behavioral impairments and biochemical alterations in brain following exposure to WiFi radiation and aluminum in rats

“…Aluminum (Al) is among the most enriched metals in our biosphere. Despite its extensive use in daily life (adjuvanted vaccins [29] and other pharmaceuticals [30], food additives [31,32], cosmetics…), Al has unknown biological function [33].…”