Cornflakes as a source of dietary metal exposure in Lebanon: a risk assessment study

This study investigates the occurrence of toxic metals in cornflakes marketed in Lebanon and the associated health risks from their consumption. Following a market screening, 21 stock-keeping units (SKUs) of cornflakes from different manufacturers and countries of origin were identified and collected across two production periods (n = 42). The samples were analyzed using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). Arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), mercury (Hg), and lead (Pb) were quantified and compared against both international and Lebanese regulatory standards. All samples exceeded international limits for Cr. Most samples surpassed permissible levels for Pb (73.8%) and Hg (76.2%), while a smaller proportion (19%) exceeded the limits of As. However, the concentrations of all toxic metals remained below the Lebanese national limits. The analysis indicated that the brand of the cornflakes did not exert a significant influence on metal concentrations (p ≥ 0.05), whereas statistically significant differences (p ≤ 0.05) were observed in the levels of Cr and Pb when comparing Lebanese to imported products. Estimated Daily Intake (EDI) and Hazard Quotient (HQ) calculations indicated no significant health risk for adults. Nevertheless, the frequent detection of contaminated samples and the increasing consumption of ready-to-eat cereals raise concerns about cumulative exposure, particularly among children. This research underscores the urgent need for updated national food safety regulations, strengthened food surveillance systems, and immediate public health interventions to reduce toxic metal exposure in the Lebanese population.