Canned sardines commercialized in Brazil: Packaging and inorganic contaminants evaluation

Abstract

The main objectives of this work were to study electrolytic chromium/chromium oxide coated steel (ECCS) packaging used in canned sardines commercialized in Brazil and to determine the presence of inorganic contaminants in this food with two different conserves. Aluminum(Al), arsenic(As), cadmium(Cd), chromium(Cr), iron(Fe), lead(Pb) and tin(Sn) were determined by ICP OES. The packaging analysis revealed that the quality parameters established for ECCS packaging were satisfied. Element levels varied between (mg kg−1): Al (not detected (ND) and 13.24); As (0.66 and 6.44); Cd (ND and 0.43); Cr (ND and 0.13); Pb (ND and 0.09); Sn (ND and 0.26); Fe (14.0 and 42.0). For inorganic contaminants, levels above the Brazilian and MERCOSUR regulation thresholds were found in sardine samples: As, Cd and Cr in 78%, 12% and 8%, respectively. Daily sardine can consumption may also contribute up to 9.3% of BMDL0.5 for inorganic arsenic and 13% of PTMI for cadmium.