Multi-Elemental Analysis and Potential Human Health Risk Assessment of Selected Canned Foods Sold in Nigeria

This study was aimed at analysing multi-elemental levels (Al, Bi, Ca, Fe, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Na, Si, Sr, Th, and Zn) and potential human health (estimated daily intake and non-carcinogenic) risk impact of canned foods (soya beans and Sardine) sold in Swali markets. Using Inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) techniques. The results reveal the presence of Al, Bi, Ca, Fe, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Na, Si, Sr, Th, and Zn in the two canned food samples. The order of the element’s concentration of the soya beans sample in the study was K>Ca>Fe>Mg>Na>Si>Li>Th>Al>Mn>Sr>Bi>Zn, while for canned sardine sample was K>Ca>Fe>Mg>Na>Si>Al>Th>Li>Bi>Mn>Sr. The concentration levels of all detected components were found to be significantly low, much below the maximum limits established by the Codex Alimentarius Commission, Food and Agriculture Organization, and World Health Organization. The non-carcinogenic risks of the food samples were assessed by calculating the estimated daily intake (EDI), Target Hazard Quotients (THQ), and Hazard Index (HI). The evaluation of the soya beans and sardine samples revealed that the human health risk associated with their ingestion was below permissible limits and less than 1. This implies that their level of safety to humans is high and may not constitute a threat to human health. However, it is important to continuously monitor these products and their consumption since they are widely consumed.