Significance of continuous examinations for presence of certain chemical contaminants in livers of cattle, pigs and broilers

Abstract

The paper presents the results of investigations of toxic elements residue in the liver of cattle, pig and broilers, in samples taken in keeping with the Programme for the systematic monitoring of residue during the first six months of the year 2010. The objective of the work was to evaluate the health safety of livers of pigs, cattle and broilers, and to assess the importance of systematic and continuous control and sound education of all subjects involved in the food chain. Liver samples were taken on the slaughter lines, in keeping with the Regulations on establishing a programme for the systematic monitoring of residue of pharmacological, hormone and other harmful matter in animals, products of animal origin, and food for animal consumption. The quantities of arsenic in all samples were below the limit of detection by the applied method, and mercury concentration in one sample of a broiler liver was 0.006 mg/kg. Cadmium content in four samples of calf livers was 0.056 mg/kg, 0.008 mg/kg, 0.012 mg/kg and 0.049 mg/kg. Results for cadmium in eight samples of pig livers ranged in concentration from 0.019 to 0.148 mg/kg, and they were 0.017 mg/kg and 0.020 mg/kg in two samples of broiler livers. Lead was established in two samples of calf livers, in concentrations of 0.35 mg/kg and 0.18 mg/kg. The results of these investigations have shown that not a single liver sample from calves, pigs or broilers had quantities of toxic elements that were higher than the permitted levels and that the liver is a safe for use in the human diet.

Keywords

• liver
• toxic elements
• human diet