Analysis and Human Health Risk from Selected Heavy Metals in Common Instant Noodles

A current study has been carried out to assess the level of selected heavy metals like Cr, Cd, Zn, Mn, Fe, Co, Pb, and Ni in six branded noodles, i.e., Maggi, Knorr, Shan shoop, Shinramayun, Indomie, and Mama. The concentration of Cr, Cd, Zn, Mn, Fe, and Co was observed in the range of 3.3-9.7, 0.066-0.59, 6.2-11.4, 2.4-6.3, 4.8-17.5, and 0.39-0.74 mg kg^-1 respectively while that of Pb and Ni was below the detection limit. High Cd (0.59 mg kg^-1), Fe (17.5 mg kg^-1), and Co (0.74 mg kg^-1) were found in Maggi; high Cr (9.7 mg kg^-1) and Mn (6.3 mg kg^-1) were found in Mama while high Zn (11.4 mg kg^-1) was found in Knorr. The health risk associated with the use of noodles in Pakistan was evaluated by using estimated dietary intake (EDI), target hazard quotients (THQs), and hazard index (HI). THQ values found for Zn, Mn, Fe, and Co were found below 1 while those for Cd in four samples were below 1 and for Maggi, they were higher than 1. THQ values for Cr in all samples were above 1. Cr and Cd concentrations were a little bit higher than those of the WHO/FAO permissible limits; Zn and Fe concentrations were found within the limit while for Mn and Co WHO/FAO limits are not yet established. The THQ values for Cr and its concentration in all samples show that it could have a detrimental effect on the users of noodles in Pakistan.