EFFECTS ALUMINUM FOIL PACKAGING ON THE LEVELS OF HEAVY METALS IN C. GARIEPINUS

ABSTRACT

This study investigated the impacts of aluminum foil packaging on the concentration of aluminum (Al), lead (Pb) and Cadmium (Cd) in C. gariepinus barbecue. Due to increasing worries about potential health concerns related to aluminum exposure, this study aims to determine if using aluminum foil in packaging affects the heavy metal content in C. gariepinus barbecue. C. gariepinus barbecue samples were obtained from four distinct locations: Uniben, Ekosodin, Uselu, and Isihor. Before preparation, fresh raw samples were extracted from the catfish as a control. The remaining samples were wrapped in aluminum foil (double, single, or perforated) and collected after preparation. Advanced analytical methods were used to identify and quantify the aluminum (Al), lead (Pb), and cadmium (Cd) in the C. gariepinus barbecue samples.
The results demonstrated that catfish barbecue packaged in aluminum foil (double, single, or perforated) had higher aluminum concentrations than fresh samples. The aluminum concentrations in the three package treatments were above the permissible limits of EFSA of 2.0mg/kg. There was no evidence of lead or cadmium leaching in either the fresh (control) or wrapped samples as the values of these metals were below the permissible limits of European Commission Regulation (EC, 2006) of 0.30 mg/kg for Pb wet wt. and Cd 0.04, and FAO (2003) maximum levels for Pb (0.02 mg/kg) and (Cd 0.05mg/kg). Aluminum foil packaging significantly contributes to aluminum contamination in catfish barbecue. There is need to explore alternative packaging materials in the preparation of barbecue for the safety of the consumers of the finished product.