Heavy Metals Detected in Chicken and Eggs in Cameroon
Researchers in Cameroon have detected six heavy metals in chicken meat and eggs, raising concerns about food safety and the potential exposure of consumers to harmful contaminants.
The study found lead, nickel, arsenic, cadmium, chromium and mercury in broiler chickens and eggs collected from poultry farms in the Centre, Littoral and West regions. The findings were published on September 1 by researchers from the University of Yaoundé I and the Institute of Medical Research and Medicinal Plants Studies.
Researchers examined 48 chickens and 180 eggs from 12 farms,u with four farms selected in each of the three regions. The study’s findings therefore provide evidenceies contamination in the sampled products, but researchers cautioned that the limited sample does not establish how widespread the problem is across Cameroon’s poultry industry.
Heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, mercury and arsenic can accumulate in the body and, depending on the level and duration of exposure, pose health risks. Their presence in food can also raise concerns about contamination of poultry feed, water, soil or other parts of the production chain.
The findings put renewed attention on food-safety monitoring and contamination controls in Cameroon’s growing poultry sector. Further testing across more farms and regions would be needed to determine the scale of the problem and whether the detected concentrations exceed established food-safety limits.
