Abstract
This study examines dietary exposure to heavy metals in food, focusing on toxicity mechanisms, bioaccumulation, and associated human health risks. Heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, and mercury enter food systems through environmental contamination and persist due to their non-biodegradable nature. Using a qualitative Systematic Literature Review (SLR) approach, this study synthesizes recent research to identify key patterns linking contamination pathways, food chain transfer, and toxicological effects. The findings indicate that dietary intake is a primary exposure route, amplified by bioaccumulation and biomagnification processes that increase internal metal concentrations over time. At the molecular level, oxidative stress and cellular disruption are identified as central mechanisms underlying toxicity. Furthermore, existing risk assessment frameworks may underestimate cumulative exposure from multiple food sources. This study highlights the need for integrated approaches to food safety assessment and risk management, emphasizing the importance of considering systemic and long-term exposure in evaluating toxicological risks
