Arsenic in food and water

Το μέγεθος της παγκόσμιας αγοράς Halal προϊόντων διατροφής υπολογίζεται πάνω από 350 δισεκατομμύρια ευρώ. Στην Ευρώπη, όπου ζουν επισήμως περισσότεροι από 50 εκατομμύρια μουσουλμάνοι, αναζητούνται ολοένα και περισσότερα προϊόντα διατροφής υψηλής ποιότητας και σύγχρονου γαστρονομικού προφίλ με παράλληλη κάλυψη των διατροφικών επιταγών της θρησκείας τους. Ήδη η πώληση ειδών Halal από μικρά εθνικά μαγαζιά μεταφέρεται διεθνώς στις πιο μεγάλες δομές λιανεμπορίου (Carrefour,  Metro, κ.ά.) και αλυσίδων εστιατορίων (McDonalds, KFC, Pizza Hut, Subway, κ.ά.).

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) …

Arsenic is one of the 10 major chemicals with great interest to public health according to the WHO. The current proposed threshold for drinking water is 10 μg / L (ppb), although difficulties exist in methods of measuring and removing arsenic from drinking water. The new trend for sustainable development (Agenda 2030, WHO / UNICEF Joint Monitoring Program for Water Supply and Sanitation) is to provide safe water, free of chemical contaminants, such as arsenic.

Exposure sources

Arsenic is a natural component of the earth’s crust and is present widely in the environment (air, earth, water). It is highly toxic in inorganic form.

People exposed to high levels of inorganic arsenic through contaminated drinking water and irrigation water, in industrial activity, consumption of contaminated food and smoking.

Long-term exposure to inorganic arsenic forms, mainly through the consumption of contaminated water, contaminated food prepared or irrigated by contaminated water can lead to chronic poisoning. The most typical symptoms are skin cancer and skin damage.

Drinking water and food

The major hazard to public health concerning arsenic comes from the contaminated ground water. Arsenic in inorganic form, is present naturally at high levels in groundwater of many countries (Argentina, Bangladesh, Chile, China, India, Mexico and USA). Shellfish, meat, poultry, dairy and cereals can also be sources of exposure to arsenic, although the report because these foods are inferior to the contaminated underground water. Seafood, arsenic occurs in the less toxic organic form.

Particular mention should be made in the presence of inorganic arsenic in foods and the products (especially rice) which are vulnerable for some consumer groups such as children under 3 years, due to the frequent consumption (children consume 3 times more rice than adults, taking into account the body weight). Recently the directive of the American Pediatric Association, urges to parents the use of other food except of rice and products (oats, barley, vegetables, etc.) for infants who start solid foods.