Integrated Risk Assessment of Food Contaminants and Implications for Human Health

Abstract

Food safety in modern food systems is increasingly challenged by the simultaneous presence of multiple contaminants, including heavy metals, food additives, emerging contaminants, and natural bioactive compounds. This study develops an integrated perspective on food contaminant risk assessment by synthesizing evidence on contamination sources, exposure pathways, toxicological mechanisms, and regulatory frameworks. A qualitative Systematic Literature Review (SLR) approach was applied to analyze peer-reviewed studies published between 2020 and 2025. The findings indicate that human exposure is cumulative and influenced by dietary patterns, environmental conditions, and food production systems. Shared toxicological mechanisms, such as oxidative stress and metabolic disruption, suggest that combined exposure may amplify health risks. The study highlights limitations of traditional single-substance risk assessment models and emphasizes the need for integrative frameworks that account for mixture effects and exposure variability. These insights support the development of more adaptive and comprehensive food safety strategies