Detection of residues in soft drinks sold in the Middle East: A review

Abstract

This review aims to examine the presence of heavy metals, pesticide residues, and bisphenol A (BPA) in non-alcoholic beverages sold in the Middle East and to discuss analytical detection methods based on data from previous studies. The primary focus of this study was on identifying and evaluating existing research on this topic. The evaluation revealed that contaminants such as lead, cadmium, arsenic, organophosphates, organochlorine pesticides, and BPA were detected in industrially produced beverages, particularly in the Middle East. These contaminants were found to penetrate the beverages through raw materials, environmental factors, or packaging processes, depending on production conditions. Several technical methods are used to detect these residues. The most common methods include ICP-MS, FAAS, GFAAS, GC-MS/MS, LC-MS/MS, and HPLC. These methods also differ in terms of accuracy and cost. Therefore, in the application of these methods, particular attention should be paid to ensuring that contaminant levels are acceptable, that they are within safety limits, and that they have high sensitivity. Considering studies conducted in Middle Eastern countries in line with the aim of this study, heavy metal concentrations generally remain within internationally accepted limits; however, pesticide residues and BPA levels have been detected in some beverages. It should be noted that this situation may vary in most Middle Eastern countries in terms of raw materials used and regulatory controls. In addition, the high consumption of non-alcoholic beverages in the region can also increase total exposure. Hence, residues in beverages are particularly important for sensitive groups such as children, adolescents, and pregnant women, as these groups may be more susceptible to chemical contaminants. Studies conducted in Turkey have also revealed similar findings, and the presence of pesticide residues and BPA has been detected in some beverage samples. When we evaluate these findings in general, the importance of regularly inspecting both imported and locally produced beverages becomes apparent. At this point, it is recommended that studies be conducted to minimize the risk of chemical migration.

Keywords

• Soft drinks
• Heavy metals
• Pesticides
• BPA
• Middle East
• Turkey
• Food safety

Ethical Statement

The authors declare that this study does not involve experiments with human or animal subjects, and therefore, ethics committee approval is not required.

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