Food Contaminants: A Scoping Review of Sources, Toxicity, Pathophysiological Insights, and Mitigation Strategies

Background: Food contamination is a major global issue that impacts public health, agriculture, and food security. The toxicological effects of contaminants can pose significant health risks, emphasizing the need for effective strategies to mitigate these dangers. Objectives: This narrative review explores the sources, toxicities, pathophysiological aspects and mitigation approaches related to food contaminants. Methods: A comprehensive review was conducted by analyzing relevant literature from PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, with a focus on studies published in the last decade. Articles were chosen on the basis of their relevance, and a narrative approach was employed to summarize findings related to sources, toxicity, pathophysiology, and mitigation strategies for food contaminants. Results: This review highlights that food contaminants originate from diverse sources, including biological agents (bacteria, viruses), chemical substances (pesticides, heavy metals, mycotoxins), and physical materials (glass, plastics). Their toxicity varies, leading to acute and chronic health effects such as neurotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, endocrine disruption, and carcinogenicity. The underlying pathophysiological mechanisms include oxidative stress, deoxyribonucleic acid damage, inflammation, and metabolic dysfunction, which contribute to disorders such as cancer, metabolic syndrome, and neurological impairments. Effective mitigation strategies encompass good agricultural practices, advanced food processing and preservation techniques, regulatory enforcement, public education, and the incorporation of natural detoxifying agents, aiming to reduce contamination and ensure food safety. Conclusions: Food contaminants present significant health risks, so effective mitigation methods can reduce their impact. The development of new technologies and the enforcement of stricter food safety regulations are crucial in addressing emerging contaminants and safeguarding public health.