ASSESSMENT OF FOOD QUALITY AND SAFETY LEVELSOF SOME SELECTEDREADY-TO-EATFOODSSOLD IN OPEN AND SUPER-MARKETS IN KANO, NIGERIA

Food safety remains a critical concern for human health and national development, particularly in postharvest handling practices, including processing and storage. This study evaluated the safety and quality of dried and ready-to-eat (RTE) foods—roasted groundnuts, smoked dried fish, and cassava grit (garri)—collected from two open markets and two supermarkets in Nigeria. The samples were analyzed for total aflatoxin, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and hydrogen cyanide using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), and spectrophotometric methods, respectively. Data were subjected to statistical analysis, with mean differences compared at a 5% probability level. foodborne pathogens of significant concern were isolated; however, Enterobacter aerogenes was the predominant microorganism in samples from open markets. Total aflatoxin levels in groundnuts varied significantly (p < 0.05) between markets, ranging from 39.53 to 104.92 μg/kg in open markets and 11.93 to 53.02 μg/kg in supermarkets. Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) accounted for 91% of the total aflatoxin levels. While the mean aflatoxin concentrations in open market samples exceeded both the European Union (4 μg/kg) and Codex Alimentarius (15 μg/kg) standards, 75% of supermarket samples fell within the permissible limits. Among the 24 PAHs recommended for monitoring by the European Union and the US Environmental Protection Agency, benzo[a]pyrene was detected at the highest concentrations (26.28 μg/kg and 20.19 μg/kg) in BT-1 and SH-1 samples, respectively. Despite fewer PAHs being detected in BT-1, it recorded the highest total PAH concentration (204.42 μg/kg). Significant differences (p < 0.05) in PAH levels were observed between markets, except for BT-1 and BT-2. The hydrogen cyanide content in garri ranged from 0.0428 to 0.0811 mg HCN/10g (4.28 to 8.11 ppm), well below the WHO lethal concentration (LC50) threshold of ≥10 ppm. No insect activity or presence was observed in any of the samples. These findings underscore the need for improved processing, packaging, and storage practices to enhance the safety and quality of RTE foods. This study highlights critical research gaps and emphasizes the importance of policy interventions to address food safety challenges in Nigeria.INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INNOVATIVE STUDIESA MONTHLY, INDEXED, REFEREED AND PEER REVIEWED OPEN ACCESS INTERNATIONAL JOURNALVOL.3. ISSUE.1, 2025 (APRIL)RESEARCH ARTICLEARTICLEISSN: 3027-2173