Heavy Metals in Food Products: An Insight into Food Security as a Global Problem

In agriculture, heavy metals (HMs) pollution is a severe threat to food security worldwide, posing negative impacts on environmental sustainability and human health. HMs in the environment are attributed to both natural and anthropogenic sources, which lead to higher accumulations of the HMs in soil and consequently enter the food chain. High levels in soils lead to microbial activity disruption, nutrient uptake changes, and yield reduction. The HMs uptake varies in different crops, such as leafy vegetables, tubers, and grains, are highly susceptible. Higher levels in livestock are attributed to grazing on contaminated grass or forage and contaminated water. They can accumulate in animal tissues and negatively impact health, reproduction, and product quality. Livestock-derived products, such as eggs, meat, and milk, are potential HM exposure routes in humans. To cope with HMs pollution in agricultural systems, proper preventive measures and policy interventions and frameworks need to be implemented. Soil testing on regular basis and remediation techniques including phyto-technologies and biochar amendments should be employed. Agricultural practices such as crop rotation, resistant crop selection, and proper irrigation management can be effective. Livestock management strategies including feed quality monitoring, clean water availability, and proper waste management practices are crucial. Setting up permissible limits in products, promoting sustainable and safe land management techniques, raising public awareness, educating farmers and consumers, and prioritizing research on alternative methods for food safety. To ensure and protect human health, adequate precautionary measures considering scientific research and supported by solid policies are vital.