Elemental profile variability and health risk assessment of canned tuna across global markets
FOOD CONTROL, vol.193, 2027 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Publication Type: Article / Article
- Volume: 193
- Publication Date: 2027
- Doi Number: 10.1016/j.foodcont.2026.112619
- Journal Name: FOOD CONTROL
- Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, BIOSIS, Index Islamicus, Academic Search Ultimate (EBSCO), Engineering Source (EBSCO)
- Istanbul University Affiliated: Yes
Abstract
Canned tuna is one of the most widely consumed seafood products globally, but concerns remain regarding toxic element contamination and food safety. In this study, toxic elements including cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), and arsenic (As) were evaluated in 96 canned tuna samples marketed across 32 countries using a ratio-based multivariate fingerprinting approach. Elemental ratios (Hg/Cd, Pb/Cd, and Pb/Hg) were analyzed to assess compositional variability among samples from global markets. Pb concentrations in samples from Finland and Algeria, and Cd concentrations in samples from Morocco and Ghana exceeded current permissible limits established in Regulation (EU) 2023/915. Consumer health risks were evaluated based on a consumption scenario of one 120 g serving per week for adults. THQ and HI values were below 1 for all samples, indicating no significant non-carcinogenic health risk, while Pb and iAs MOE values indicated low health concern under the defined consumption scenario; however, variability among markets supports continued monitoring of contamination patterns. ILCR values for inorganic arsenic (iAs) remained within the commonly cited risk range (10-6-10-4), while MOE values were above 1, suggesting that exposure remained below the selected benchmark level under the defined consumption scenario. PCA and HCA analyses revealed variability in elemental ratio patterns among samples, although no clear clustering pattern was observed according to country of purchase. Overall, the elemental fingerprint results suggest that canned tuna products marketed in different countries reflect complex global supply chain processes rather than distinct geographic origin patterns.