Muhammad Isra, Adnan Engelen, Zainudin A.K. Antuli, Riel J.J. Umboh
Chemical contaminants in food remain a persistent global public health concern, necessitating continuous advances in detection and mitigation strategies across the food supply chain. This review critically synthesizes recent advances, with an emphasis on studies published since 2024-2025, while drawing on foundational literature where necessary, to examine the detection, toxicological assessment, and control of chemical food contaminants. Five major contaminant groups are addressed: heavy metals, mycotoxins, pesticide residues, persistent organic pollutants, and emerging contaminants, including per- and PFAS, nanoplastics, and endocrine-disrupting chemicals. Recent developments in detection technologies are systematically evaluated, encompassing nanomaterial-based biosensors, advanced spectroscopic and electrochemical platforms, and artificial intelligence-assisted data analysis, with a focus on their potential for rapid, sensitive, and real-time monitoring in complex food matrices. In parallel, emerging mitigation strategies such as probiotic-mediated biodetoxification, bio-based active packaging, and molecularly imprinted polymers for selective toxin removal are critically assessed in terms of efficacy, applicability, and limitations across different stages of food production and processing. Beyond single-contaminant risks, this review examines mixture toxicity arising from co-occurring contaminants, summarizing current evidence on synergistic and additive effects that challenge conventional risk assessment frameworks. Regulatory and governance considerations are discussed from a global perspective, highlighting persistent gaps in harmonized standards, surveillance capacity, and risk assessment implementation, particularly in developing regions. In addition, public perception and consumer acceptance of advanced detection and mitigation technologies are explored, with attention to issues of sustainability, transparency, and trust. Overall, this review identifies critical knowledge gaps, technological bottlenecks, and policy priorities, underscoring the need for multidisciplinary innovation and coordinated regulatory efforts to ensure a safer and more sustainable food supply under evolving chemical contaminant risks. © 2026 Elsevier Ltd
Food Technology Study Program, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Negeri Gorontalo, Gorontalo, 96554, Indonesia; Food Technology Study Program, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Sam Ratulangi, Manado, 95115, Indonesia
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