Chemical Hazards in Products of Animal Origin in Cambodia from 2000 to 2023: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Shwe Phue San, Linda Nicolaides, Delia Grace (), Tumnoon Charaslertrangsi, Chhoun Chamnan, Shetty Seetharama Thombathu, Ra Thorng, Leab Kong, Sreymom Noeurn, Kuok Fidero, Che Ratana, Nazanin Zand and Rortana Chea
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Shwe Phue San: Natural Resources Institute, University of Greenwich, Medway ME4 4TB, UK
Linda Nicolaides: Natural Resources Institute, University of Greenwich, Medway ME4 4TB, UK
Delia Grace: Natural Resources Institute, University of Greenwich, Medway ME4 4TB, UK
Tumnoon Charaslertrangsi: Science Division, Mahidol University International College, Nakhon Pathom 73170, Thailand
Chhoun Chamnan: Fisheries Administration, Phnom Penh 120101, Cambodia
Shetty Seetharama Thombathu: United Nations Industrial Development Organization, Phnom Penh 120101, Cambodia
Ra Thorng: United Nations Industrial Development Organization, Phnom Penh 120101, Cambodia
Leab Kong: United Nations Industrial Development Organization, Phnom Penh 120101, Cambodia
Sreymom Noeurn: Fisheries Administration, Phnom Penh 120101, Cambodia
Kuok Fidero: Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology, and Innovation, Phnom Penh 120203, Cambodia
Che Ratana: Consumer Protection Competition and Freud Repression Directorate General, Phenom Penh 12125, Cambodia
Nazanin Zand: Natural Resources Institute, University of Greenwich, Medway ME4 4TB, UK
Rortana Chea: National Animal Health and Production Research Institute, General Directorate of Animal Health and Production, Phnom Penh 120603, Cambodia

IJERPH, 2025, vol. 22, issue 8, 1-28

Abstract: Chemical hazards in food present a significant health risk. The objective of our review is to understand health risks associated with chemical contaminants in products of animal origin (POAO) in Cambodia, where there is no known published study. We followed the “Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses” (PRISMA) guidelines. A total of 23 reports were included for review. The findings are presented according to the PRISMA guidelines. The studies mostly focused on fishery products, with arsenic and mercury being the most frequently studied hazards. The evidence of banned substances such as chloramphenicol and certain organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), including chlordane and Mirex, was reported in fish and meat. Additionally, mercury levels were measured in beef, pork, viscera, and eggs, but the average concentration remained significantly below the hazard index. The average concentration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in smoked fish exceeded the EU limits, ranging from 0.034 to 17.2 mg/kg, with an average mean concentration of 1.92 mg/kg. The pooled geometric means of arsenic and mercury in fish were 0.40 mg/kg (95% CI: 0.25–0.66) and ~0.14 mg/kg (95% CI: 0.087 to 0.223), respectively. The health risk of mercury contamination in fishery products needs the attention of the risk managers. However, industrial contaminants such as polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and butyl tin in marine fishes were lower than those reported elsewhere, such as Japan. We discuss the implications of the findings for human health and national food control systems (NFCS), the capacity of different agencies to undertake chemical risk assessment, the utility of systematic literature reviews (SLRs) for risk assessment and communication in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), and the need for further research.

Keywords: food contamination; chemical hazards; animal products; systematic review; meta-analysis; risk assessment; Cambodia (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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