Strawberries (Fragaria x ananassa Duchesne) belong to the berry group and are characterized primarily by delightful sensory properties. Due to their chemical composition, these fruits are a rich source of bioactive compounds that can modify the metabolic and physiological functions of the body. The aim of this work is to present the current state of research on bioactive ingredients found in these fruits in the context of their health-promoting properties. The paper presents compiled and reviewed data on the content of polyphenolic compounds, organic acids, and vitamins, especially vitamin C, in strawberries. The content of these compounds is influenced by many different factors that are discussed in the paper. It also draws attention to the presence of oxalates and allergenic compounds, which are classified as anti-nutritional compounds of strawberries.

Spices are an important group of food products of great importance in nutrition and food technology. They are mainly used to shape the sensory properties of food in gastronomy, in home cooking, and in industry. Ensuring quality and safety is one of the basic tasks of spice producers. The aim of this review is to present the threats to the consumer related to the presence of spices and seasoning mixes in the diet. Therefore, special attention was paid to such risks as excess sodium chloride (and sodium) in spice mixtures, the use of additives influencing the sensory experience, and irregularities in the labeling of spices and seasoning mixes for the presence of additives and allergens. The threats regarding microbiological safety and the presence of heavy metals, pesticides, plant protection products, as well as synthetic fertilizers and undeclared additives are also presented and the issue of adulteration and lack of authenticity of spices and spice mixtures is discussed. Using data from IJHARS planned inspections and notifications registered in the EU Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) for 2015–2019, as well as the results of own research, an analysis of the risks caused by herbs and spices was carried out. Strategic activities of companies producing spices focus, among others, on improving production and expanding the commercial offer with new, attractive products. The article reviews product and process innovations in spice mixes and the methods of ensuring safety in this group of food products.

The increasing global population, projected to exceed 9.1 billion by 2050, presents a critical challenge for sustainable food production. Edible insects have emerged as a promising alternative protein source due to their high nutritional value, low environmental footprint, and efficient resource utilization. This review explores the opportunities and challenges of integrating edible insects into food systems. Benefits include their high protein content and quality, low greenhouse gas emissions, low-cost production, and ability to thrive on organic waste. Furthermore, edible insect cultivation requires significantly less land and water compared to traditional livestock. Edible insects are nutritionally rich, containing substantial amounts of essential amino acids, unsaturated fatty acids, and minerals. However, barriers to widespread adoption persist, such as cultural perceptions, regulatory hurdles, potential allergenicity, and biological and chemical contamination. Furthermore, standardizing rearing practices and ensuring food safety are critical for broader adoption. While edible insects represent a nutritious, low-cost food and feed, there are a lot of variables that have not been fully investigated. Only after further research, promising results, and solutions that are relatively easy to apply might edible insects be considered a sustainable food source. Considering the challenges that may arise by 2050, more intensive research is highly advised.

The aim of this study is to present the benefits and risks associated with the consumption of black pepper and cinnamon, which are very popular spices in Poland. The article presents the current state of knowledge about health properties and possible dangers, such as liver damage, associated with their consumption. The experimental part presents the results of the research on the antioxidant properties against the DPPH radical, which was 80.85 ± 3.84–85.42 ± 2.34% for black pepper, and 55.52 ± 7.56–91.87 ± 2.93% for cinnamon. The total content of polyphenols in black pepper was 10.67 ± 1.30–32.13 ± 0.24 mg GAE/g, and in cinnamon 52.34 ± 0.96–94.71 ± 3.34 mg GAE/g. In addition, the content of piperine and pepper oil in black pepper was determined, as well as the content of coumarin in cinnamon. The content of piperine in the black pepper samples was in the range of 3.92 ± 0.35–9.23 ± 0.05%. The tested black pepper samples contained 0.89 ± 0.08–2.19 ± 0.15 mL/100 g d.m. of essential oil. The coumarin content in the cinnamon samples remained in the range of 1027.67 ± 50.36–4012.00 ± 79.57 mg/kg. Taking into account the content of coumarin in the tested cinnamon samples, it should be assumed that the majority of cinnamon available in Polish retail is Cinnamomum cassia (L.) J. Presl.

An important element of sustainability is food security, related to ensuring access to suitable food. Despite having an intensive agricultural economy and a developed food industry, European Union (EU) countries import some products. Within the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF), so-called border rejections are reported, which accounted for 38.7% of all notifications submitted in 2008–2023. The purpose of this study was to analyse border rejections reported in the RASFF in 2008–2023, considering hazards, hazard categories, product categories, notifying country, and country of origin. The data were pre-processed in Microsoft Excel and then subjected to two-way joining cluster analysis in Statistica 13.3. Taking into account the quantity of imports and the hazards, the greatest attention should be paid to fruits and vegetables from Turkey (presence of ochratoxin A, pesticides, and sulphites), nuts from Turkey (aflatoxins), poultry and spices from Brazil (Salmonella spp.), fish from China and Morocco (poor temperature control), and feed and fruits and vegetables from Ukraine (moulds). Through border rejections, the common European market is protected from hazards in food from outside the EU, which contributes to sustainability. However, ensuring safety in this regard requires close cooperation between border posts of all member countries.

The increasing global population, projected to exceed 9,1 billion by 2050, presents a critical challenge in sustainable food production. Edible insects have emerged as a promising alternative protein source due to their high nutritional value, low environmental footprint and efficient resource utilization. This review explores the opportunities and challenges of integrating edible insects into food systems. Benefits include their high protein content and quality, low greenhouse gas emissions, low-cost production and ability to thrive on organic waste. Furthermore, edible insect cultivation requires significantly less land and water compared to traditional livestock. Edible insects are nutritionally rich, containing substantial amount of essential amino acids, unsaturated fatty acids and minerals. However, barriers to widespread adoption persist, such as cultural perceptions, regulatory hurdles, potential allergenicity, biological and chemical contamination. Furthermore, standardizing rearing practices and ensuring food safety are critical for broader adoption. While edible insects represent a nutritious, low-cost food and feed, there are a lot of variables that have not been fully investigated. Only after further research, promising results and relatively easy to apply solutions, edible insects might be considered a sustainable food source. Considering 2050 challenges more intensive research is highly advised.