Level of contamination with lead and aluminum in liver sandwiches served by street vendors and some restaurants with different hygienic practice

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Department of Food Hygiene Animal Health Research Institute Dokki, Giza

Abstract

A total of fifty liver sandwiches served by street vendors and restaurants with different hygienic practices (25 of each), were collected from Giza Governorate. The levels of lead and aluminium residues were determined by using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The mean values of lead residues in cooked liver sandwiches served by each of street vendors and restaurants were 1.68±0.51 and 0.73±0.2 mg/kg; respectively; as well as, it was constituted 6.2±2.1 and 4.3±1.1 mg/kg for aluminum residues, respectively. The levels of lead and aluminum residues in liver sandwiches served by street vendors were high as compared to that detected in restaurants. The sources of contamination with such elements (lead and aluminium) as well as the public health importance were discussed. The suggestive measures to avoid the contamination with such elements in cooked food were recommended.

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