Food Safety
Goodchance Revingstone Mboya; Davis Naboth Chaula; Beatrice Mgaya Kilima
Abstract
In rural communities, free-range chickens are vital for food and income, however, they risk contamination from radioactive elements in polluted feed, water, and soil, which can taint chicken meat and eggs. This study was conducted to assess the level of public awareness of radiological health risks associated ...
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In rural communities, free-range chickens are vital for food and income, however, they risk contamination from radioactive elements in polluted feed, water, and soil, which can taint chicken meat and eggs. This study was conducted to assess the level of public awareness of radiological health risks associated with the consumption of free-range chicken in the Bahi district. A standardized questionnaire was administered to 341 inhabitants of four villages and analyzed statistically using SPSS version 27. Approximately 44.3% of respondents were aware of radionuclide contamination in free-range chicken, and 67.1% recognized cancer as a health risk. Awareness of other health impacts, such as birth defects (3.2%) and organ damage (9.7%), was low. Approximately 57.5% of the respondents identified soil as the primary source of radioactive contamination in the area. There was a startlingly low level of knowledge regarding testing facilities and local authority interventions (10.3% and 2.4%, respectively). Consumption frequency and awareness levels were significantly correlated (p < 0.05), with daily consumers demonstrating higher awareness and willingness to pay for certified products than non-daily consumers. The study concludes that while awareness of contamination risk exists, institutional support and practical understanding are lacking in the field. This study recommends targeted food safety education, testing initiatives, and radiological risk outreach.
Food Safety
Ramadhan Abdul Hassan; Davis Naboth Chaula; Abdulsudi Issa-Zacharia
Abstract
Street-vended food is perceived as a significant public health risk. Foods wrapped in ink-printed papers have been associated with several health issues, including cancer, neurological disorders, reproductive complications, and kidney and liver damages. This study examined heavy metal contamination ...
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Street-vended food is perceived as a significant public health risk. Foods wrapped in ink-printed papers have been associated with several health issues, including cancer, neurological disorders, reproductive complications, and kidney and liver damages. This study examined heavy metal contamination and the microbiological quality of ready-to-eat foods (chapatti) wrapped in ink-printed paper in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Samples were collected and analyzed for lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), and cadmium (Cd) using microwave plasma atomic emission spectrometry. Microbiological assessment was conducted to determine the total plate count (TPC), and the presence of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Data analysis was performed using Python-based analytical tools to calculate mean values and assess statistical significance. The results indicated that the mean concentrations of Pb, Cr, and Cd were all significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the wrapped samples than in the unwrapped controls, with mean levels varying from 0.05–0.06 mg/kg, 0.07 mg/kg, and 0.06–0.07 mg/kg, respectively. Likewise, wrapped samples had significant microbial contamination, with mean TPC and S. aureus levels of 2.64 ± 0.17 log10 CFU/g and 1.67 ± 0.16 log10 CFU/g, respectively, while these bacteria were not present in the control samples. None of the samples tested positive for E. coli. Although measured heavy metal concentrations remain below current regulatory thresholds, the marked increase in contamination originating from ink-printed papers constitutes a potential public health concern. The results clearly demonstrate that the wrapping material is the principal source of contamination. Therefore, it is advisable that regulatory bodies, including the Tanzania Bureau of Standards and local government health officials, prohibit the use of printed materials, such as newspapers, for food contact.
