Sports nutrition supplementation is a widespread practice. Whey protein supplements contribute not only to protein intake but also to dietary exposure to minerals. The labelling present provides the percentage of protein and rarely refers to other components, such as potentially toxic elements such as B, Cu, Mo, Zn, and V that present tolerable upper intake levels set by the European Food Safety Authority. The percentage of protein declared on supplement labelling was checked using the Kjeldahl method, and the levels of Ca, Mg, K, Na, Ba, B, Co, Cu, Cr, Sr, Fe, Li, Mn, Mo, Ni, V, Zn, and Al were analyzed by ICP-OES with the aim of characterizing the protein and mineral contents of isolate and concentrate whey protein supplements representative of the European market. The protein content was 70.9% (18–92.3%) and statistically significant differences were observed between the declared and real protein percentages. Among the minerals, K (4689.10 mg/kg) and Ca (3811.27 mg/kg) presented the highest levels, whereas Co (0.07 mg/kg) and V (0.04 mg/kg) showed the lowest levels. It was concluded that the quality and safety of these products needs to be monitored and regulated. A high degree of non-compliance with labelling claims was detected. Furthermore, the contributions to the recommended and tolerable intakes among regular consumers need to be assessed.

Sarpa salpa is a fish belonging to the Sparidae family and is usually found in local markets. Toxic metals such as aluminum (Al), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb) and trace elements such as boron (B), barium (Ba), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), iron (Fe), lithium (Li), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo), nickel (Ni), strontium (Sr), vanadium (V) and zinc (Zn) are incorporated into fish tissues and remain there. The liver has the highest concentrations of all the analyzed toxic metals and almost all the analyzed trace elements. The consumption of 100 g/day of S. salpa muscle tissue does not pose a health risk. However, 100 g/day of liver consumption may pose a serious health risk due to the intake of Cd (572% of the tolerable weekly intake for adults with a body weight of 68.48 kg) and Pb (117% of the tolerable daily intake for adults weighing 68.48 kg). The consumption of liver of this species is not recommended due to its possible harmful effects on health.

The Canary Islands is an archipelago that consumes cereals and derivatives imported from other regions of the world. The increase in contamination with toxic metals makes it necessary to assess the content of toxicological metals of interest to ensure quality and safety. The content of toxic metals (Al, Cd, Cr, Pb, Ni, Sr) was determined in 221 samples of cereals and derivatives (corn, wheat, gofio, corn gofio, barley gofio, roasted corn and flour) marketed in the Canary Islands using ICP-OES (inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry) to assess dietary exposure. Al content recorded in barley gofio (29.5 mg/kg fresh weight) stands out. The estimated daily intake (EDI) of Pb is 52 µg/day if 100 g/day of barley gofio is consumed (121% and 240% of the BMDL nephrotoxicity limit set by the EFSA at 0.63 µg/kg body weight/day for adults and children, respectively). The EDI of PB is 16 µg/day if 30 g barley gofio/day is consumed by adults (36.2% of the abovementioned BMDL nephrotoxicity limit). The EDI of Pb is 7.8 µg/day if 15 g barley gofio/day is consumed by children (32.2% of the abovementioned BMDL nephrotoxicity limit). Gofio is a food of high nutritional value. It is necessary to establish monitoring programs for toxic metals in raw materials and processed products to reduce exposure levels.

Bioaccumulation is the process by which living organisms accumulate substances, such as pesticides, heavy metals, and other pollutants, from their environment. These substances can accumulate in the organism’s tissues over time, leading to potential health risks. Bioaccumulation can occur in both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, and can have a significant impact on the health of both humans and wildlife. The objective of this study is to find out if the concentrations of metals in the tuna species of the Canary Islands are suitable for human consumption and if they pose a health risk. Fifteen samples of Acanthocybium solandri, Katsuwonus pelamis, Thunnus albacares, Thunnus obesus and Thunnus thynnus present in canaries were analyzed. Ten grams of muscle were taken from each specimen and the metals Al, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Li, Ni, Pb and Zn were determined by Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES). The tuna species that presented more metals with a higher concentration compared to the others was T. thynnus, reaching up to 100 times more than the other studied species in Fe content with 137.8 ± 100.9 mg/Kg, which may be due to the fact that it is the largest species that reaches ages of more than fifteen years. The species Thunnus thynnus should not be suitable for commercialization according to the current legislation on the concentrations of Cd in blue fish, since 75% of the specimens studied exceeded the concentration legislated for Cd. A total of 40% of the studied specimens of this this species exceeded the legislated values for the concentration of Pb in oily fish meat, so this species must be monitored to ensure that it does not pose a risk to human health.

Protein supplements (PS) are trendy foods, especially those made from whey. In addition to providing protein, these products are a source of metals, providing essential elements (Na, K, Mg, Ca, Mo, Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, and Zn) and other potentially toxic elements (Al, B, Sr, V Ba, and Ni). In this study, 47 whey PS samples were analyzed for mineral elements by ICP-OES, and their dietary exposures were assessed for three consumption scenarios. Elements found in higher concentrations were K (4689.10 mg/kg) and Ca (3811.27 mg/kg). The intake of 30 g PS (average recommended amount/day) provides about 20% of the established reference value (NRI) for Cr (18.30% for men and 25.63% for women) and Mo (26.99%). In a high daily consumption scenario (100 g PS/day) and when the maximum concentrations are considered, Cr, Zn, Fe, Mo, and Mg dietary intakes of these metals exceed the daily recommended intakes and could pose a risk. The daily intake of 30, 60, and 100 g of whey PS for 25 years does not pose a health risk since the hazard index (HI) is less than one in these consumption scenarios, and the essential elements contributing most to HI are Co, followed by Mo and Cr. It is recommended to improve the information to the consumers of these new products. Furthermore, to help in the management and prevention of these potential health risks, it would be advisable to improve the regulation of these dietary supplements and their labeling.

Baby food from jars is made of meat, vegetables or fruits, and might be a valuable source of essential elements such as Na or K. However, these infant products could also be a source of toxic elements such as Al or Cd, which are dangerous to infants. In total, 45 samples of various kinds of baby food in jars (meat, vegetables, fruit and mixed) were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma spectrometry (ICP OES) with the aim of evaluating the daily intake of essential elements (K, Na, Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn, Cu, Co, Mo, Mn) and dietary exposure to toxic elements (Al, Cd, Pb, B, Ba, V, Sr, Li, Ni). Mixed jars registered the highest concentrations of Na, Ca, Zn, Fe. Al (8.22 ± 8.97 mg/kg wet weight) stands out in vegetable jars. In total, 130 g/day of mixed jars fulfills daily Zn and Ca requirements. These consumption scenarios (130 g/day, 250 g/day) supposed high Mn intakes (40 times higher than the recommended value), which could pose a risk to infants’ health. Pb, Ni, Cd and Al intakes exceed the maximum values. It is recommended to avoid the daily consumption of these products since it can pose a risk to the health of infants. Chemical compounds studied in this article: Nitric acid (PubChem: CID 944).