A Review of Heavy Metals Accumulation in Red Meat and Meat Products in the Middle East

Abstract

The problem of food contamination is a matter of concern, which can cause health complications in consumers. Several international organizations have created standard permissible limits for heavy metals in meat products. Livestock such as sheep, cattle, camels, and goats are the most important sources of protein meat in the Middle East (ME) countries. Contamination of meat products with heavy metals (HMs) may be a threat to human health. Various scattered studies have been conducted in the Middle East on the contamination of red meat and meat products with HMs however, a comprehensive review on this subject has not yet been published. This study aimed to investigate the status of HMs in both raw and processed types of meat in the ME. The results of this narrative review revealed that in many ME countries, contamination of red meat with HMs was excessive. Therefore, more monitoring of livestock conditions and red meat products consumed in some Middle East countries seems necessary.