Keywords:
Bioactive compounds, Dose–response, Food safety, Natural compounds, Toxicity mechanisms, Health risk assessmentAbstract
This study evaluates chemical exposure in food systems using an integrated risk assessment perspective, focusing on cumulative exposure, toxicological mechanisms, and human health implications. Individuals are exposed to multiple chemical substances through food consumption, including environmental contaminants, food additives, and naturally occurring compounds. Using a qualitative Systematic Literature Review (SLR) approach, this study synthesizes recent research to examine how these diverse sources interact within food systems and biological processes. The findings indicate that chemical exposure is cumulative and influenced by multiple pathways, including environmental transfer, dietary patterns, and compound interactions. Shared mechanisms such as oxidative stress and cellular disruption are identified as key contributors to health risks. Furthermore, current risk assessment frameworks are limited in addressing combined exposure and real-world conditions. This study highlights the need for more integrative and system-level approaches to improve food safety evaluation and public health protection.
