Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a mycotoxin produced by fungi species belonging to the genera Aspergillus spp. and Penicillium spp. The proliferation of OTA-producing fungal species may occur due to inadequate practices during both the pre-harvest and post-harvest stages of feed. Consequently, poultry species may be exposed to high concentrations of this mycotoxin that can be transferred to animal tissues due to its carry-over, reaching dangerous concentrations in meat and meat products. Therefore, this review aims to propose a comprehensive overview of the effects of OTA on human health, along with data from global studies on the prevalence and concentrations of this mycotoxin in avian feeds, as well as in poultry meat, edible offal, and eggs. Moreover, the review examines significant gross and histopathological lesions in the kidneys and livers of poultry linked to OTA exposure. Finally, the key methods for OTA prevention and decontamination of feed are described.

Cold plasma is a promising alternative for water treatment owing to pathogen control and a plethora of issues in the agriculture and food sectors. Shellfish pose a serious risk to public health and are linked to large viral and bacterial outbreaks. Hence, current European regulations mandate a depuration step for shellfish on the basis of their geographical growth area. This study investigated the inactivation of relevant viral and bacterial pathogens of three plasma-activated seawaters (PASWs), and their reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) composition, as being primarily responsible for microbial inactivation. Specifically, F-specific (MS2) and somatic (φ174) bacteriophage, cultivable surrogate (murine norovirus, MNV, and Tulane virus, TV), and human norovirus (HuNoV GII.4) inactivation was determined using plaque counts and infectivity assays, including the novel human intestinal enteroid (HIE) model for HuNoV. Moreover, the kinetic decay of Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., and Vibrio parahaemolyticus was characterized. The results showed the complete inactivation of phages (6–8 log), surrogates (5–6 log), HuNoV (6 log), and bacterial (6–7 log) pathogens within 24 h while preventing cytotoxicity effects and preserving mussel viability. Nitrites (NO₂⁻) were found to be mostly correlated with microbial decay. This research shows that PASWs are a suitable option to depurate bivalve mollusks and control the biohazard risk linked to their microbiological contamination, either viral or bacterial.

Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites produced by various fungal species that can contaminate food and feed, posing significant risks to human and animal health. In aquaculture, the replacement of fishmeal with alternative protein sources has increased the risk of mycotoxin contamination, becoming a major challenge in fish feed production. Current data highlights that fish are exposed not only to common mycotoxins but also to emerging ones, raising concerns about human exposure through fish consumption. In this review, we draw attention to the toxicity data of key emerging mycotoxins from Fusarium (enniatins, ENNs; beauvericin, BEA) and Alternaria (alternariol monomethyl ether, AME; alternariol, AOH), their occurrence in aquafeeds and in commercially relevant fish species in Europe, and potential biocontrol approaches to prevent/mitigate contaminations. From the present review, it emerged that these mycotoxins exhibit in vitro cytotoxic properties. Their prevalence and concentrations vary widely both among aquafeeds, depending on the sample’s origin, and among fish species. Biocontrol approaches using microorganisms or natural compounds show promise as sustainable solutions to limit contamination. However, further research is essential to address data gaps and to allow for a proper risk assessment and, if necessary, the implementation of effective management measures.

Dietary risk assessment for toxic elements focuses on those listed by Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/915. However, new toxicological evidence suggests expanding research to other elements, including nickel. Classified as carcinogenic by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, nickel exposure mainly occurs through food and water. In individuals with hypersensitivity, oral exposure to this element may trigger symptoms ranging from dermatitis to systemic nickel allergy syndrome. Based on this evidence, the European Food Safety Authority set a tolerable daily intake (TDI) of 13 μg/kg bw/day, recommending further data collection to establish maximum levels in food. In this study, nickel occurrence was evaluated in 809 muscle meat samples (poultry, beef, and pork). Statistical analysis was conducted to identify differences in mean concentrations among the different meat types. Moreover, contamination levels of nickel were used to assess the dietary exposure of different age groups of Italian consumers through meat consumption, providing a comprehensive risk characterization. Toddlers were the most exposed age group, while the elderly were the least exposed. Across all age groups, exposure levels followed the pattern: pork > poultry > beef. Generally, meat consumption contributed less than 1% of the nickel TDI for all the age groups. In particular, the highest contribution to the TDI, equal to 0.86%, was associated with the consumption of pork by toddlers. Therefore, data from this study suggest that nickel contamination in poultry, beef, and pork has a minimal impact on human exposure, posing a negligible risk to public health.

Nosema apis and Nosema ceranae are two well-known pathogens affecting the health of honeybees. To help understand how honeybee colonies are affected by these pathogens, the aim of this study was to analyze the impact of Nosema ceranae and Nosema apis in hives in the Apulian Region through a Citizen Science approach. First, a form about the health status of the beehives was filled out by beekeepers. After an inspection visit to confirm the signs observed by beekeepers, adult honeybee samples collected from beehives in four Apulian provinces (Taranto, Bari, Foggia and Brindisi) were subjected to light microscopy investigation for the detection of Nosema spp. spores and to molecular analysis using species-specific primers for the discrimination of Nosema apis spores from those of Nosema ceranae. Among the forty-eight samples, thirty-six tested positive for Nosema ceranae, and one sample tested positive for Nosema apis. The forms filled out by beekeepers revealed that only 5/36 beehives that tested positive for Nosema ceranae showed signs of depopulation and reduced honey production, while 19/36 had only low honey yield. This study provides data on Nosema apis and Nosema ceranae prevalence in Italy and correlates the presence of these intestinal pathogens with the most important problems encountered by local beekeepers.

Anthropogenic activities lead to the spread of chemicals and biological materials, including plastic waste, toxic metals, and pharmaceuticals, of which the impact on the Mediterranean Sea is of high concern. In this context, the EU Interreg Italy-Albania-Montenegro Project “ADRINET (Adriatic Network for Marine Ecosystem) _244” (2018–2020) arises. It aims to carry out biomonitoring campaigns in the main commercial interest of fish and cephalopod species, such as Sparus aurata, Dicentrarchus labrax, Sepia spp., and Loligo spp. sampled in three different subregions of the Mediterranean Sea. The presence of the main environmental contaminants, such as cadmium, microplastics, and antibiotics was investigated in these seafood samples. Contamination by cadmium and antibiotics in the seafood investigated in our study was negligible. However, a high value of microplastics was detected in the stomach and gut of Sparus aurata and Dicentrarchus labrax. Overall, even though the presence of microplastics needs to be investigated by further studies, the results confirmed that the environmental conditions of the three bays investigated by the ADRINET project partners (Italy, Albania, Montenegro) are positive and not affected by intensive anthropogenic activity.