Potential toxic elements in breakfast cereals in the Kurdistan region, Iraq

Potential toxic elements are substances that can accumulate in foodstuffs and pose risks to human health even at low levels, or when their levels exceed safety thresholds. A total of 78 breakfast cereals were purchased from the Kurdistan region, Iraq. Their PTE levels were analysed and associated health risks were calculated. The levels of As, Cd, Pb, Cu and Cr ranged from 0.055 ± 0.02-0.12 ± 0.05 mg/kg, 0.024 ± 0.009-0.08 ± 0.03 mg/kg, 0.015 ± 0.003-0.12 ± 0.06 mg/kg, 1.93 ± 0.5-3.9 ± 0.1 mg/kg and 0.36 ± 0.02-0.84 ± 0.1 mg/kg, respectively. The PTE levels were mostly below the Codex Alimentarius maximum limits, except in 11 samples, which exceeded the limits for As, Cd and Pb. Risk assessment data of HQ and HI (below 1) showed no non-carcinogenic health risks for both adults and children. However, due to the high levels of As, Cd and Pb in some samples, continuous monitoring is advisable to ensure the constant quality of these products.