Abstract
The contamination of poultry food with heavy metals has become a critical food safety issue because of the health risks associated with these contaminants. The present study examined the levels of the metals Cu, Ni, Mn and Cr in eggs, liver and gizzard samples from both commercial broiler and indigenous (Desi) chickens in three environmentally different regions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province, Pakistan. Fifty-four samples were analyzed by using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS) and the potential human health risk was assessed by computing the estimated daily intake (EDI) and health risk index (HRI). The levels of the metals were significantly different in the various regions and tissues (P < 0.05), and the poultry products from the industrialized Hattar region had comparatively higher concentrations of the metals, especially Cu and Cr, whereas Ni contributed most to dietary exposure. The levels of metals in broiler liver and gizzard was generally higher compared to the indigenous chicken tissues. All concentrations detected were held to international limits, however, high Ni concentrations in some samples indicate that monitoring should continue. In summary the results show that present production of poultry products from the study area is safe for human consumption but points at the role of industrial activities on the accumulation of metals. Continuous monitoring of poultry products and production facilities is suggested to enhance food safety and safeguard public health