Iranian Journal of

Background and Objective: Attention to on-farm food safety is the first step in achieving food safety and production of healthy crops. However, practices related to on-farm food safety are not sufficiently considered by farmers due to the lack of proper understanding. Accordingly, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the attitude of farmers about sources of contamination and explaining factors of on-farm food safety practices.
Materials and Methods: This study is a non-experimental and descriptive research in terms of extent of variables control; a filed research according to data collection method; and a survey research in terms of generalizability of findings. The statistical population of the study was 732 lettuce producers in Alborz province of which a sample size of 230 was selected using a stratified sampling method with proportional allocation (counties as strata). Data was collected through research-made questionnaire. Appearance and content validity of the questionnaire was assessed by the experts in the field and its reliability was confirmed based on calculated Cronbach Alpha coefficient for three constructs including on-farm food safety practices (0.728), sources of contamination in the pre-harvest stage (0.821) and sources of contamination in the post-harvest stage (0.801). Data analysis was performed using SPSS software version 20.
Results: The results revealed that the most important sources of contamination were the usage of pesticides and toxins on the farm and in the irrigation water (in the pre-harvest stage), locations of crop storage and warehouse and high humidity during crop transfer (in the post-harvest stage). Furthermore, the results of the factor analysis using Varimax rotation indicated that underlying the variables of on-farm food safety practices may be summarized and categorized in five factors: practices related to workers’ education and health; public health; irrigation; monitoring and control; and control of livestock and wildlife. These covered about 64.314% of total variances. Among the five factors mentioned, practices related to workers’ education and health explaining 18.1% of the total variances was the most important factor in comparison with other one.
Conclusion: According to the contamination sources in the pre and post-harvest stages and the probability of different contamination in lettuce crop, it is essential to provide necessary conditions for encouraging and directing producers to perform on-farm food safety practices, particularly by educating them on the identification of contamination sources and informing them about essential health and safety practices.
 

Background and Objective: Compliance with the principles of food safety and hygiene is very important in the entire chain of production, storage, transportation and supply of food to ensure the safety and suitability of food to ensure the health of consumers. Therefore, a study was conducted to determine the status of indicators and prerequisite programs for health and food safety in the fruit and vegetable fields of Tehran in 2022.
Materials and Methods: A descriptive-analytical study on 67 fruit and vegetable centers in Tehran city regarding the status of indicators and prerequisite programs for food safety and hygiene, such as the condition of buildings and facilities, employee training, employee health, food quality control, control of environmental pests, waste disposal and work environment hygiene were done. First, a questionnaire was prepared and its validity was confirmed by the opinion of five experts, as well as its reliability tool with Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.87, then the questionnaire was completed and the necessary data was recorded. The data were statistically analyzed using SPSS software.
Results: The results showed that the favorable condition of buildings and facilities, employee education, employee health, food quality control, environmental pest control, waste disposal and workplace hygiene were 67.16%, 26.85%, 50.20%,67.91%, 43.65%, 58.39% and 63.11%, respectively. So the indicators of building and facilities, food quality control, food consumption and work environment with an average of more than a percentage are acceptable. However, the indicators of care education and combating environmental chastity have been evaluated as unfavorable
Conclusion: Knowing the status of indicators and prerequisite programs for food safety and hygiene in the fruit and vegetable fields of Tehran city can help to improve food safety and health. Also, the desirability of indicators of buildings and facilities, food quality control, waste disposal and workplace hygiene affect the supply and distribution of healthy food. It is also recommended to pay more attention to raising the level of education in the care and methods of environmental pest control in fruit and vegetable fields.
 

Background and Objective: Given the negative effects of heavy metals and their transmission to humans through the food chain, the present study was conducted to assess the concentration of heavy metals—including Fe, Zn, Cd, Pb, Ba, Ni, Cu, V, and As—in the gill, liver, and muscle tissues of the commercial fish Lutjanus ehrenbergii.
Material and Methods: Thirty fish were collected from coral habitats around Hengam Island in 2022 using nets or hooks. After identification and bioassay, the liver, gill, and muscle tissues were dissected from each specimen and analyzed for heavy metal concentrations via ICP-MS.
Results: Biometric analysis showed the average standard length, total length, and weight of the studied fish to be 23.3 ± 1.4 cm, 27.8 ± 2.7 cm, and 470.3 ± 18.9 g, respectively. Among the studied elements, Fe had the highest mean concentration in the gill (327.41 µg/g) and liver (136.10 µg/g) tissues. In muscle tissue, Zn showed the highest mean concentration (2.68 µg/g), while Ni showed the lowest accumulation. The mean Pb concentrations detected in the gill, liver, and muscle tissues were 1.38, 1.35, and 0.46 µg/g, respectively.
Conclusion: The Pb concentration in the muscle, which is the main nutritional tissue, was 0.46 µg/g. This value is higher than the limits set by international standards such as the WHO. Therefore, from a health perspective, it is not recommended to consume commercial fish contaminated with heavy metals. While continuous monitoring can provide information on contamination status, the consumption of Lutjanus ehrenbergii caught around Hengam Island should be done with caution.
 

Background and Objective: Patulin is one of the most important mycotoxins produced by a wide range of molds. The main source of this mycotoxin is rotten fruits, especially apple juice. Patulin may damage the liver, spleen, and kidneys and cause seizures, edema, intestinal inflammation, and vomiting. Patulin may also have genotoxic and neurotoxic properties and disrupt the functioning of the immune and nervous systems.
Materials and Methods: In this study, the concentration of patulin in 34 random samples of fruit juice, including 26 apple juice samples, 4 apple and banana mixed juice samples, 2 apple and kiwi mixed juice samples, and 2 pomegranate juice samples sold in stores in Tehran in May 2024, was measured and reported using the HPLC-UV method.
Results: The LOD and LOQ levels were 1.21 and 3.49 µg/kg, respectively, and the recovery percentage was between 91 and 97 percent. The mean and standard deviation of patulin concentration in a total of 34 samples was 13.425 ± 21.348 µg/kg, which was below the permissible limit of the Iranian standard and Codex (50 µg/kg), and only the findings related to one of the samples were higher than the standard limit (14.88 µg/kg).
Conclusion: The results of this study show that the levels of patulin in the samples examined are mostly within the limits of Iranian and Codex standards. However, more comprehensive studies with a larger number of samples are recommended for a more accurate assessment of potential risks.
 

Background and Objective: Aflatoxins are found in various types of food and animal feed. Food contamination with aflatoxin is of particular importance today. The present study aimed to determine the prevalence of aflatoxin M1 in various types of milk supplied in Iran through a systematic review.
Materils and Methods: In this review, national and international databases including SID, MagIran, Embase, ScienceDirect, Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science (ISI) were extracted without time limit until December 2025. The total number of articles searched was 2250, of which 90 were cited in this study and included 11,632 milk samples.
Results: The results showed that the average concentration of aflatoxin M1 in all types of milk supplied in Iran was 68.47 ng/L, which was lower than the permissible limit of the Iranian standard (100 ng/L); but it exceeded the European Union standard (50 ng/L). The findings of this study showed that 17.78% (16 out of 90 articles) exceeded the values ​​determined by the Iranian standard, and 22.32% (29 out of 90 articles) exceeded the standards determined by the European Union. Therefore, in 59.9% of the studies, the level of contamination with aflatoxin M1 was lower than the European standard. The strict standards set by the relevant authorities are the main reason for the low aflatoxin content in milk supplied in Iran.
Conclusion: Considering the average concentration of aflatoxin M1 in fermented milk in Iran, it does not pose a significant risk to consumers; however, monitoring and screening of livestock feed would help further reduce aflatoxin M1 in milk.
 

Background and Objective: Since the presence of heavy metals in milk and dairy products is a health concern, this study aimed to evaluate the concentrations of lead, cadmium, copper and zinc in raw milk and traditional dairy products, and to conduct a related risk assessment.
Materials and Methods: 30 samples of milk and dairy products including yoghurt, cheese, and doogh were collected from ten traditional dairy production store in Khuzestan province. The samples were digested in the laboratory using nitric acid method digestion, and the heavy metal concentration was measured using Metrohm 797. Hazard Quotient (HQ) and Hazard Index (HI) were calculated for non-carcinogenic risk and Estimated Daily Intake (EDI) was calculated for carcinogenic risk assessment using Monte Carlo simulation.
Results: The mean concentration of lead, cadmium, zinc and copper in the dairy were 0668, 0069, 0952 and 8756 mg/kg, respectively. The total heavy metal concentrations in yoghurt, doogh and cheese were 134.08, 24.19 and 4.17 percent higher than in raw milk, respectively. The HI from dairy product consumption was 52.82E-2. The EDI for lead and cadmium in dairy products were in the range of 10^-4 and10^-8, respectively.
Conclusion: Although common attitude toward better quality of traditional dairy products, the traditional process increases the concentration of some heavy metals in comparison with in raw milk. Monitoring of heavy metals in traditional dairy products and defining a control strategy is recommended.