Metal contaminants in spices consumed in the region of Oran, Algeria

In Algeria, industrial and agricultural expansion has raised concerns regarding metal contamination in food. Even though spices play a central role in Algerian food preparation, understanding of their metallic impurities is constrained by a lack of available data. The present study analysed 10 metals (Pb, Cd, As, Hg, Ni, Cr, Zn, Cu, Co, and Mn) in 7 common spices, collected from 11 districts in Oran, using ICP-MS. Results revealed that manganese was the most abundant element, with rhizome-based spices-ginger and turmeric-exhibiting the highest levels. While geographical location did not significantly affect contamination, the specific plant part used was an essential factor. Health risk assessments indicated significant concerns: the hazard index exceeded 1.0 for ginger and turmeric in adults and for ginger, paprika, and turmeric in infants. These findings underscore a public health risk, necessitating regulatory oversight and continuous monitoring to protect Oran's population, especially vulnerable infants.