Chemical contamination in food production

26 martha 2024

Food contamination is a serious problem that highlights the need for effective methods to ensure food safety. The high concentration of chemicals in food poses a threat to human health, and combating this problem is a priority for manufacturers. In this context, foam washing and disinfection equipment systems play an important role in ensuring food safety.

Types of chemical contamination of food products

Food pollutants include a variety of substances that can have harmful effects on the health of consumers. These substances can come from various sources and have a variety of characteristics. In this section, we will consider the types of food pollutants and their origin.

Natural pollutants in food products

Some bacteria, viruses and parasites naturally live on the surface of raw foods. Such contamination can occur due to the contact of products with soil, water, animals or other sources. Additionally, animals used for food production can carry parasites and microorganisms. For example, fecal residues on meat or vegetables can become a source of parasitic infections in humans.

Chemical pollutants

The second type of pollutants includes chemicals that can enter food products both from the external environment and from sources inside food production. These include:

Specially added chemicals: such as preservatives, dyes, antibiotics, growth promoters, and other additives that can be used to improve the taste, appearance, or shelf life of products.
Environmental contaminants: These are substances that enter food products from the external environment, for example, through contaminated water, soil or air. This may include heavy metals, pesticides, dioxins, and radionuclides.

The penetration of these substances into food products can be caused by various factors, including non-compliance with hygiene standards, the use of contaminated raw materials or improper storage of products.

Ways of chemical contamination of products

Chemical contamination of food products can occur at various stages of their production, starting from the agricultural cultivation of raw materials and ending with the transportation and storage of final products. It is important to understand the various mechanisms by which chemicals can enter food:

The use of pesticides in agriculture: One of the main ways of chemical pollution is the use of pesticides in the processing of plants. These chemicals, designed to protect plants from pests, can remain on the surface of products or penetrate their structure.
Soil and water pollution: Aggressive fertilizers, industrial wastewater and other harmful substances can pollute the soil and water used for growing crops. This can lead to the accumulation of chemical contaminants in plants and, eventually, in food products.

The use of improper additives and impurities: Prohibited feed additives, growth promoters and medicines can be used in agriculture, which can also lead to contamination of products. Even approved additives used in excessive quantities can become a source of chemical contamination.
The use of prohibited or excessive additives at the production stage: Prohibited preservatives, dyes and other chemicals may be added to the food production process. Even approved additives can become dangerous if they are used in excessive amounts.
Use of prohibited materials in equipment and packaging: Some materials used in food equipment and packaging may contain harmful chemicals. Their penetration into products may occur during the production process or storage.
Environmental pollution: Chemicals can also enter products through air, water and soil. This can happen both at the stage of agricultural cultivation, and during transportation and storage.

It is important to note that various ways of chemical contamination of products pose serious challenges for food producers and consumers. Effective control and regulatory measures are necessary to minimize risks and ensure the safety of food for consumption.

Health effects of food pollutants

About 40 million foodborne diseases are registered in Russia every year. Chemically contaminated food has a serious impact on human health. The harmful effects range from minor stomach problems to serious deaths. Chemical pollutants are closely associated with severe consequences, lack of personal control and long-term consequences.

Food consumption is the most likely source of human exposure to metals. Metals such as cadmium and lead easily enter the food chain. Heavy metals can seriously deplete certain nutrients in the body, which can reduce immunological protection, worsen psychosocial conditions and cause intrauterine development delay. Food pollutants are also a leading cause of cancer.

Exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) as a result of food contamination can negatively affect children’s neurological development and immune response. Pesticides in food as pollutants also have serious health effects. Excessive levels of these chemicals in food cause damage to the nervous system and kidneys, congenital disability, reproductive problems and can be carcinogenic. The accumulation of pesticides in body tissues can also lead to metabolic disorders.

There is also a risk of developmental disorders of the nervous system such as attention deficit disorder, autism, cerebral palsy and mental retardation caused by industrial chemicals such as arsenic, PCBs and lead found in both food and water. Exposure to such chemicals at the stage of fetal development can cause traumatic brain injury and lifelong disability in much lower doses than those that can affect adult brain function.

Measures to combat food contamination

There is legislation regulating the content of a number of chemicals in food. The use of harmful additives and adulterants is legally prohibited. However, effective surveillance and response systems are needed to prevent dangerous chemicals from entering food and harming the public. The state prescribes minimum levels of chemicals that are allowed in food, for example, the concentration of pesticides should not exceed the established limit. However, errors may still occur if the prescribed concentrations and recommendations are followed.

An important part of pollution control is to ensure the cleanliness of production equipment and premises. Foam washing and disinfection equipment systems play a key role in this process. Regular cleaning and disinfection can prevent contamination of food with chemicals and bacteria, ensuring the safety of their consumption.

In addition, it is necessary to carry out strict control over the content of permitted additives and preservatives in manufactured food products. Conducting regular analyses helps to identify and eliminate any violations in accordance with regulatory requirements.

It is also important to prevent chemicals from entering food:

To abandon the use of nitrogen-containing fertilizers for soil and pesticides for processing raw materials for growing crops;
Avoid the use of growth stimulants and medicines when raising animals and birds;
Carry out cleaning and disinfection exclusively with the use of disinfectants approved for use in the food industry, according to the instructions for the disinfectant;
Store disinfectants in closed labeled containers in separate rooms.

All these measures together contribute to maintaining high standards of food safety and protecting consumer health.

Combating food contamination and ensuring their safety are important tasks facing the food industry and legislation. Strict compliance with standards and regulations, monitoring the content of chemicals, regular cleaning and disinfection of equipment, as well as taking measures to prevent contamination of food are key steps in this direction.

The continued and systematic implementation of these measures will reduce the risk of diseases associated with the consumption of contaminated food and improve public health. Consumers also play an important role in this process, actively participating in food quality and safety control and demanding honesty and transparency from manufacturers.

It is necessary to continue to improve the regulatory framework, develop cleaning and disinfection technologies, and raise public awareness of the importance of food safety. Only through joint efforts can we ensure a high level of food safety and quality for all citizens.

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The OdysseySystems company provides a full range of services in matters of cleanliness in food enterprises: from application processing to facility commissioning and personnel training. Our specialists will install the system in any region of the Russian Federation.

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