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Dr. Ricardo Assunção
National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge

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0 Food Safety
0 Nutrition
0 Public Health
0 Risk Assessment
0 Toxicology

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Journal article
Published: 30 July 2021 in Foods
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Ready-to-eat cereals (RTECs) have become a popular breakfast option claiming to provide important nutrients to children’s diets, despite being a source of excess sugar and, therefore, a health concern. Thus, food reformulation constitutes an important public health strategy that could benefit from inputs provided by nutrient profiling. This study aimed to assess the adequacy of the RTECs for children available in Portuguese supermarkets, applying three nutrient profile models (NPMs)—the nutrient profile model of the World Health Organization’s Regional Office for Europe (WHO-EURO), the profile of the private-sector EU Pledge (EU-Pledge), and the national model developed by the Directorate-General of Health (NPM-PT)—in order to explore the potential for reformulation of the RTECs identified as not adequate and evaluate the impact of RTECs’ reformulation on the nutritional quality of Portuguese children’s diets. In total, 78 RTECs intended for children were assessed and two scenarios—current (not considering reformulation) and alternative (considering reformulation to accomplish the nutrient profile requirements)—were considered to assess the impact of reformulation on nutritional quality. Across all RTECs, only 5.1% could be promoted to children according to the considered NPMs. The most common nutrients requiring reformulation were sugar, saturated fatty acids (SFA), salt, and dietary fiber. The scenarios of reformulation considered could reduce the RTECs average content of total sugars, SFA, and salt by 43%, 8.7%, and 1.1%, respectively, and dietary fiber intake could be increased by 34%. Thus, these results support policies to implement reformulation strategies for developing healthier food products to be promoted to children.

ACS Style

Mariana Santos; Filipa Matias; Ana Rito; Isabel Castanheira; Duarte Torres; Isabel Loureiro; Ricardo Assunção. Breakfast Cereals Intended for Children: Opportunities for Reformulation and Potential Impact on Nutrient Intake. Foods 2021, 10, 1772 .

AMA Style

Mariana Santos, Filipa Matias, Ana Rito, Isabel Castanheira, Duarte Torres, Isabel Loureiro, Ricardo Assunção. Breakfast Cereals Intended for Children: Opportunities for Reformulation and Potential Impact on Nutrient Intake. Foods. 2021; 10 (8):1772.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Mariana Santos; Filipa Matias; Ana Rito; Isabel Castanheira; Duarte Torres; Isabel Loureiro; Ricardo Assunção. 2021. "Breakfast Cereals Intended for Children: Opportunities for Reformulation and Potential Impact on Nutrient Intake." Foods 10, no. 8: 1772.

Editorial
Published: 08 June 2021 in Food Research International
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ACS Style

Paula Alvito; Elsa Vasco; Ricardo Assunção. Food safety and risk assessment. Food Research International 2021, 147, 110513 .

AMA Style

Paula Alvito, Elsa Vasco, Ricardo Assunção. Food safety and risk assessment. Food Research International. 2021; 147 ():110513.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Paula Alvito; Elsa Vasco; Ricardo Assunção. 2021. "Food safety and risk assessment." Food Research International 147, no. : 110513.

Review
Published: 06 May 2021 in Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition
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Fish and other seafood are important sources of nutrients, but they are also sources of chemical contaminants that may cause adverse health effects. This article aimed to identify existing risk–benefit assessments (RBA) of fish, shellfish, and other seafood, compare methodologies, discuss differences and commonalities in findings, and identify limitations and ways forward for future studies. We conducted a scoping review of the scientific literature of studies in all languages published from 2000 through April 2019. We identified 106 RBA of fish and other seafood across Europe, Asia, North America, Africa, and at the global level. Studies were heterogeneous in terms of types of fish and other seafood considered, beneficial and adverse compounds assessed, and overall methodology. Collected data showed that a diet consisting of a variety of lean and fatty fish and other seafood is recommended for the overall population and that women of childbearing age and children should limit the consumption of fish and other seafood types that have a high likelihood of contamination. Our review emphasizes the need for evidence-based, up-to-date, and harmonized approaches in RBA in general.

ACS Style

Sofie Theresa Thomsen; Ricardo Assunção; Cláudia Afonso; Géraldine Boué; Carlos Cardoso; Francesco Cubadda; Alberto Garre; Johannes W. Kruisselbrink; Alberto Mantovani; János G. Pitter; Morten Poulsen; Hans Verhagen; Ermolaos Ververis; Hilko van der Voet; Bernhard Watzl; Sara M. Pires. Human health risk–benefit assessment of fish and other seafood: a scoping review. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition 2021, 1 -22.

AMA Style

Sofie Theresa Thomsen, Ricardo Assunção, Cláudia Afonso, Géraldine Boué, Carlos Cardoso, Francesco Cubadda, Alberto Garre, Johannes W. Kruisselbrink, Alberto Mantovani, János G. Pitter, Morten Poulsen, Hans Verhagen, Ermolaos Ververis, Hilko van der Voet, Bernhard Watzl, Sara M. Pires. Human health risk–benefit assessment of fish and other seafood: a scoping review. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition. 2021; ():1-22.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Sofie Theresa Thomsen; Ricardo Assunção; Cláudia Afonso; Géraldine Boué; Carlos Cardoso; Francesco Cubadda; Alberto Garre; Johannes W. Kruisselbrink; Alberto Mantovani; János G. Pitter; Morten Poulsen; Hans Verhagen; Ermolaos Ververis; Hilko van der Voet; Bernhard Watzl; Sara M. Pires. 2021. "Human health risk–benefit assessment of fish and other seafood: a scoping review." Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition , no. : 1-22.

Review article
Published: 05 February 2021 in Trends in Food Science & Technology
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The term “nutrient profile” (NP) has been associated with several concepts arising from the need to regulate the choice of food products, and to allow consumers to make informed and healthier food choices. The use of NP models as a policy tool to improve public health nutrition and reduce the prevalence of non-communicable diseases, is receiving increasing attention. To clarifying the importance of NP models as tools to establish public health interventions concerning consumers’ food choices, a literature review of the guiding principles to implement NP models was conducted. The covered topics include main characteristics, advantages, disadvantages, and associated gaps of the considered NP models. From the selected studies, a total of 85 documents were included. Nutrient profiling has a wide range of applications including front-of-pack (FoP) food labelling, regulation of food marketing to children, regulation of health and nutrition claims and school food standards. Sodium, saturated fatty acids (SFA), and total sugars were the nutrients most frequently to limit; on the contrary fibre was the most used qualifying nutrient. This review gathers, through a holistic approach, the scientific basis behind the development of the NP model, reinforcing the importance of these tools, and enabling regulators with information to establish an appropriate model.

ACS Style

Mariana Santos; Ana Isabel Rito; Filipa Nunes Matias; Ricardo Assunção; Isabel Castanheira; Isabel Loureiro. Nutrient profile models a useful tool to facilitate healthier food choices: A comprehensive review. Trends in Food Science & Technology 2021, 110, 120 -131.

AMA Style

Mariana Santos, Ana Isabel Rito, Filipa Nunes Matias, Ricardo Assunção, Isabel Castanheira, Isabel Loureiro. Nutrient profile models a useful tool to facilitate healthier food choices: A comprehensive review. Trends in Food Science & Technology. 2021; 110 ():120-131.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Mariana Santos; Ana Isabel Rito; Filipa Nunes Matias; Ricardo Assunção; Isabel Castanheira; Isabel Loureiro. 2021. "Nutrient profile models a useful tool to facilitate healthier food choices: A comprehensive review." Trends in Food Science & Technology 110, no. : 120-131.

Journal article
Published: 05 February 2021 in Toxins
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Tea has been consumed for thousands of years. Despite the different varieties, particular emphasis has been placed on green tea (GT), considering the associated health benefits following its regular consumption, some of which are due to its polyphenol constituents, such as epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG). Tea is not prone to the growth of microorganisms, except fungus, when proper storage, handling, and packing conditions are compromised. Consequently, mycotoxins, secondary metabolites of fungi, could contaminate tea samples, affecting human health. In the present study, we aimed to assess the balance between risks (due to mycotoxins and high levels of EGCG) and benefits (due to moderate intake of EGCG) associated with the consumption of GT. For this, 20 GT samples (10 in bulk and 10 in bags) available in different markets in Lisbon were analyzed through a LC–MS/MS method, evaluating 38 different mycotoxins. Six samples revealed detectable values of the considered toxins. Current levels of mycotoxins and EGCG intake were not associated with health concerns. Scenarios considering an increasing consumption of GT in Portugal showed that drinking up to seven cups of GT per day should maximize the associated health benefits. The present study contributes to the future establishment of GT consumption recommendations in Portugal.

ACS Style

Ricardo Assunção; Magdalena Twarużek; Robert Kosicki; Carla Viegas; Susana Viegas. Drinking Green Tea: Despite the Risks Due to Mycotoxins, Is It Possible to Increase the Associated Health Benefits? Toxins 2021, 13, 119 .

AMA Style

Ricardo Assunção, Magdalena Twarużek, Robert Kosicki, Carla Viegas, Susana Viegas. Drinking Green Tea: Despite the Risks Due to Mycotoxins, Is It Possible to Increase the Associated Health Benefits? Toxins. 2021; 13 (2):119.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Ricardo Assunção; Magdalena Twarużek; Robert Kosicki; Carla Viegas; Susana Viegas. 2021. "Drinking Green Tea: Despite the Risks Due to Mycotoxins, Is It Possible to Increase the Associated Health Benefits?" Toxins 13, no. 2: 119.

Review
Published: 11 August 2020 in Toxins
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In occupational settings where exposure to organic dust occurs (e.g., intensive animal production, waste management, farming and many others) workers can also be exposed to mycotoxins. However, recognizing exposure to mycotoxins in workplace environments does not happen commonly and, consequently, remains as a not identified occupational risk factor. In the last decade, work developed in different occupational settings, using different sampling approaches reported that occupational exposure to mycotoxins occurs and it’s of upmost importance to be seen as an occupational concern that needs to be tackled. This paper intends to discuss the several possibilities available for assessing and characterizing the occupational exposure to mycotoxins through the description of the advantages and limitations of the different sampling strategies. Overviewing the approaches and the main achievements used in several field campaigns developed in Portugal, the knowledge obtained will be used to support the identification of the main aspects to consider when designing new occupational studies. The need for additional research work will also be discussed where new directions to follow will be debated.

ACS Style

Susana Viegas; Carla Viegas; Carla Martins; Ricardo Assunção. Occupational Exposure to Mycotoxins—Different Sampling Strategies Telling a Common Story Regarding Occupational Studies Performed in Portugal (2012–2020). Toxins 2020, 12, 513 .

AMA Style

Susana Viegas, Carla Viegas, Carla Martins, Ricardo Assunção. Occupational Exposure to Mycotoxins—Different Sampling Strategies Telling a Common Story Regarding Occupational Studies Performed in Portugal (2012–2020). Toxins. 2020; 12 (8):513.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Susana Viegas; Carla Viegas; Carla Martins; Ricardo Assunção. 2020. "Occupational Exposure to Mycotoxins—Different Sampling Strategies Telling a Common Story Regarding Occupational Studies Performed in Portugal (2012–2020)." Toxins 12, no. 8: 513.

Communication
Published: 02 August 2020 in Nanomaterials
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Several metallic nanomaterials (NMs), such as titanium dioxide nanomaterials (TiO2), present beneficial properties with a broad range of innovative applications. The human population is exposed to TiO2, particularly by ingestion, due to its increasing use as a food additive and inclusion in dietary supplements and food packaging materials. Whether this oral exposure may lead to adverse local or systemic outcomes has been the subject of research, but studies have generated contradictory results, reflecting differences in the physicochemical properties of the TiO2 studied, effects of the surrounding matrix, and modifications during digestion. This work aimed to investigate the toxic effects of three different TiO2 NMs (NM-103, NM-103 and NM-105) on the gastrointestinal tract cells, Caco-2 and HT29-MTX-E12, after the use of the standardized static INFOGEST 2.0 in vitro digestion method to mimic human digestion of TiO2, contributing to hazard assessment. The results show that, for one of the digested TiO2 NMs studied (NM-105), a more pronounced toxicity occurs after exposure of HT29-MTX-E12 intestinal cells, as compared to undigested NM, concomitantly with subtle changes in characteristics of the NM. Thus, the inclusion of the digestion simulation in the safety evaluation of ingested NMs through in vitro bioassays can better integrate the modifications that NMs suffer in the organism. It is expected that such an approach will reduce uncertainties in the hazard assessment of ingested NMs for human health.

ACS Style

Ana Bettencourt; Lídia M. Gonçalves; Ana C. Gramacho; Adriana Vieira; Dora Rolo; Carla Martins; Ricardo Assunção; Paula Alvito; Maria João Silva; Henriqueta Louro. Analysis of the Characteristics and Cytotoxicity of Titanium Dioxide Nanomaterials Following Simulated In Vitro Digestion. Nanomaterials 2020, 10, 1516 .

AMA Style

Ana Bettencourt, Lídia M. Gonçalves, Ana C. Gramacho, Adriana Vieira, Dora Rolo, Carla Martins, Ricardo Assunção, Paula Alvito, Maria João Silva, Henriqueta Louro. Analysis of the Characteristics and Cytotoxicity of Titanium Dioxide Nanomaterials Following Simulated In Vitro Digestion. Nanomaterials. 2020; 10 (8):1516.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Ana Bettencourt; Lídia M. Gonçalves; Ana C. Gramacho; Adriana Vieira; Dora Rolo; Carla Martins; Ricardo Assunção; Paula Alvito; Maria João Silva; Henriqueta Louro. 2020. "Analysis of the Characteristics and Cytotoxicity of Titanium Dioxide Nanomaterials Following Simulated In Vitro Digestion." Nanomaterials 10, no. 8: 1516.

Journal article
Published: 29 May 2020 in Archives of Public Health
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Background Evidence has emerged showing that elderly people and those with pre-existing chronic health conditions may be at higher risk of developing severe health consequences from COVID-19. In Europe, this is of particular relevance with ageing populations living with non-communicable diseases, multi-morbidity and frailty. Published estimates of Years Lived with Disability (YLD) from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study help to characterise the extent of these effects. Our aim was to identify the countries across Europe that have populations at highest risk from COVID-19 by using estimates of population age structure and YLD for health conditions linked to severe illness from COVID-19. Methods Population and YLD estimates from GBD 2017 were extracted for 45 countries in Europe. YLD was restricted to a list of specific health conditions associated with being at risk of developing severe consequences from COVID-19 based on guidance from the United Kingdom Government. This guidance also identified individuals aged 70 years and above as being at higher risk of developing severe health consequences. Study outcomes were defined as: (i) proportion of population aged 70 years and above; and (ii) rate of YLD for COVID-19 vulnerable health conditions across all ages. Bivariate groupings were established for each outcome and combined to establish overall population-level vulnerability. Results Countries with the highest proportions of elderly residents were Italy, Greece, Germany, Portugal and Finland. When assessments of population-level YLD rates for COVID-19 vulnerable health conditions were made, the highest rates were observed for Bulgaria, Czechia, Croatia, Hungary and Bosnia and Herzegovina. A bivariate analysis indicated that the countries at high-risk across both measures of vulnerability were: Bulgaria; Portugal; Latvia; Lithuania; Greece; Germany; Estonia; and Sweden. Conclusion Routine estimates of population structures and non-fatal burden of disease measures can be usefully combined to create composite indicators of vulnerability for rapid assessments, in this case to severe health consequences from COVID-19. Countries with available results for sub-national regions within their country, or national burden of disease studies that also use sub-national levels for burden quantifications, should consider using non-fatal burden of disease estimates to estimate geographical vulnerability to COVID-19.

ACS Style

Grant M. A. Wyper; Ricardo Assunção; Sarah Cuschieri; Brecht Devleesschauwer; Eilidh Fletcher; Juanita A. Haagsma; Henk B. M. Hilderink; Jane Idavain; Tina Lesnik; Elena Von der Lippe; Marek Majdan; Milena S. Milicevic; Elena Pallari; José L. Peñalvo; Sara Monteiro Pires; Dietrich Plaß; João V. Santos; Diane L. Stockton; Sofie Theresa Thomsen; Ian Grant. Population vulnerability to COVID-19 in Europe: a burden of disease analysis. Archives of Public Health 2020, 78, 1 -8.

AMA Style

Grant M. A. Wyper, Ricardo Assunção, Sarah Cuschieri, Brecht Devleesschauwer, Eilidh Fletcher, Juanita A. Haagsma, Henk B. M. Hilderink, Jane Idavain, Tina Lesnik, Elena Von der Lippe, Marek Majdan, Milena S. Milicevic, Elena Pallari, José L. Peñalvo, Sara Monteiro Pires, Dietrich Plaß, João V. Santos, Diane L. Stockton, Sofie Theresa Thomsen, Ian Grant. Population vulnerability to COVID-19 in Europe: a burden of disease analysis. Archives of Public Health. 2020; 78 (1):1-8.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Grant M. A. Wyper; Ricardo Assunção; Sarah Cuschieri; Brecht Devleesschauwer; Eilidh Fletcher; Juanita A. Haagsma; Henk B. M. Hilderink; Jane Idavain; Tina Lesnik; Elena Von der Lippe; Marek Majdan; Milena S. Milicevic; Elena Pallari; José L. Peñalvo; Sara Monteiro Pires; Dietrich Plaß; João V. Santos; Diane L. Stockton; Sofie Theresa Thomsen; Ian Grant. 2020. "Population vulnerability to COVID-19 in Europe: a burden of disease analysis." Archives of Public Health 78, no. 1: 1-8.

Encyclopedia
Published: 27 March 2020 in Encyclopedia of Mycology
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Zearalenone and alternariol are mycotoxins produced by Fusarium and Alternaria species, respectively, that present estrogenic activity and are considered endocrine disruptors. These mycotoxins are present in a variety of food commodities and the human exposure could be of concern due to the associated health effects. This article intends to gather and systematize key information regarding these mycotoxins considered EDCs.

ACS Style

Carla Martins; Arnau Vidal; Marthe De Boevre; Ricardo Assunção. Mycotoxins as Endocrine Disruptors – An Emerging Threat. Encyclopedia of Mycology 2020, 180 -192.

AMA Style

Carla Martins, Arnau Vidal, Marthe De Boevre, Ricardo Assunção. Mycotoxins as Endocrine Disruptors – An Emerging Threat. Encyclopedia of Mycology. 2020; ():180-192.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Carla Martins; Arnau Vidal; Marthe De Boevre; Ricardo Assunção. 2020. "Mycotoxins as Endocrine Disruptors – An Emerging Threat." Encyclopedia of Mycology , no. : 180-192.

Editorial
Published: 11 March 2020 in Toxins
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Mycotoxins are considered the most frequently occurring natural contaminants in the diet of humans and animals [...].

ACS Style

Ricardo Assunção; Susana Viegas. Mycotoxin Exposure and Related Diseases. Toxins 2020, 12, 172 .

AMA Style

Ricardo Assunção, Susana Viegas. Mycotoxin Exposure and Related Diseases. Toxins. 2020; 12 (3):172.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Ricardo Assunção; Susana Viegas. 2020. "Mycotoxin Exposure and Related Diseases." Toxins 12, no. 3: 172.

Journal article
Published: 13 February 2020 in Toxins
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Zearalenone and alternariol are mycotoxins produced by Fusarium and Alternaria species, respectively, that present estrogenic activity and consequently are classified as endocrine disruptors. To estimate the exposure of the Portuguese population to these two mycotoxins at a national level, a modelling approach, based on data from 94 Portuguese volunteers, was developed considering as inputs: i) the food consumption data generated within the National Food and Physical Activity Survey; and ii) the human biomonitoring data used to assess the exposure to the referred mycotoxins. Six models of association between mycoestrogens urinary levels (zearalenone, total zearalenone and alternariol) and food items (meat, cheese, and fresh-cheese, breakfast cereals, sweets) were established. Applying the obtained models to the consumption data (n = 5811) of the general population, the median estimates of the probable daily intake revealed that a fraction of the Portuguese population might exceed the tolerable daily intake defined for zearalenone. A reference intake value for alternariol is still lacking, thus the characterization of risk due to the exposure to this mycotoxin was not possible to perform. Although the unavoidable uncertainties, these results are important contributions to understand the exposure to endocrine disruptors in Portugal and the potential Public Health consequences.

ACS Style

Carla Martins; Duarte Torres; Carla Lopes; Daniela Correia; Ana Goios; Ricardo Assunção; Paula Alvito; Arnau Vidal; Marthe De Boevre; Sarah De Saeger; Carla Nunes. Food Consumption Data as a Tool to Estimate Exposure to Mycoestrogens. Toxins 2020, 12, 118 .

AMA Style

Carla Martins, Duarte Torres, Carla Lopes, Daniela Correia, Ana Goios, Ricardo Assunção, Paula Alvito, Arnau Vidal, Marthe De Boevre, Sarah De Saeger, Carla Nunes. Food Consumption Data as a Tool to Estimate Exposure to Mycoestrogens. Toxins. 2020; 12 (2):118.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Carla Martins; Duarte Torres; Carla Lopes; Daniela Correia; Ana Goios; Ricardo Assunção; Paula Alvito; Arnau Vidal; Marthe De Boevre; Sarah De Saeger; Carla Nunes. 2020. "Food Consumption Data as a Tool to Estimate Exposure to Mycoestrogens." Toxins 12, no. 2: 118.

Research article
Published: 31 October 2019 in Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture
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Dairy farming feed can be contaminated with mycotoxins affecting animals’ health and milk quality. Additionally, dairy farming is an environment prone to occupational exposure to mycotoxins and feed is recognized as a contamination source of the workplace environment. An exploratory study was developed in a dairy farm located in Portugal intending to assess the mycotoxins present in the feed. All the samples analyzed presented at least contamination by two mycotoxins to a maximum of 13 mycotoxins in the same sample. ZEA was detected in all the samples (n=10) followed by DON that was reported in 8 samples and OTA in 5 samples. The obtained results point out to the possible contamination of milk by several mycotoxins and for the possible occupational exposure to mycotoxins due to feed contamination. An adequate One Health approach for dairy production should address these issues through effective preventive actions such as avoiding the use of feed contaminated with mycotoxins. This represents an important aspect of the foreseen challenges due to climate change that requires proper attention and accurate management measures. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

ACS Style

Susana Viegas; Ricardo Assunção; Magdalena Twarużek; Robert Kosicki; Jan Grajewski; Carla Viegas. Mycotoxins feed contamination in a dairy farm – potential implications for milk contamination and workers' exposure in a One Health approach. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture 2019, 100, 1118 -1123.

AMA Style

Susana Viegas, Ricardo Assunção, Magdalena Twarużek, Robert Kosicki, Jan Grajewski, Carla Viegas. Mycotoxins feed contamination in a dairy farm – potential implications for milk contamination and workers' exposure in a One Health approach. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture. 2019; 100 (3):1118-1123.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Susana Viegas; Ricardo Assunção; Magdalena Twarużek; Robert Kosicki; Jan Grajewski; Carla Viegas. 2019. "Mycotoxins feed contamination in a dairy farm – potential implications for milk contamination and workers' exposure in a One Health approach." Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture 100, no. 3: 1118-1123.

Journal article
Published: 01 September 2019 in Trends in Food Science & Technology
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ACS Style

Ricardo Assunção; Paula Alvito; Roberto Brazão; Paulo Carmona; Paulo Fernandes; Lea Sletting Jakobsen; Carla Lopes; Carla Martins; Jeanne-Marie Membré; Sarogini Monteiro; Pedro Nabais; Sofie Theresa Thomsen; Duarte Torres; Sílvia Viegas; Sara Monteiro Pires; Géraldine Boué. Building capacity in risk-benefit assessment of foods: Lessons learned from the RB4EU project. Trends in Food Science & Technology 2019, 91, 541 -548.

AMA Style

Ricardo Assunção, Paula Alvito, Roberto Brazão, Paulo Carmona, Paulo Fernandes, Lea Sletting Jakobsen, Carla Lopes, Carla Martins, Jeanne-Marie Membré, Sarogini Monteiro, Pedro Nabais, Sofie Theresa Thomsen, Duarte Torres, Sílvia Viegas, Sara Monteiro Pires, Géraldine Boué. Building capacity in risk-benefit assessment of foods: Lessons learned from the RB4EU project. Trends in Food Science & Technology. 2019; 91 ():541-548.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Ricardo Assunção; Paula Alvito; Roberto Brazão; Paulo Carmona; Paulo Fernandes; Lea Sletting Jakobsen; Carla Lopes; Carla Martins; Jeanne-Marie Membré; Sarogini Monteiro; Pedro Nabais; Sofie Theresa Thomsen; Duarte Torres; Sílvia Viegas; Sara Monteiro Pires; Géraldine Boué. 2019. "Building capacity in risk-benefit assessment of foods: Lessons learned from the RB4EU project." Trends in Food Science & Technology 91, no. : 541-548.

Journal article
Published: 01 September 2019 in EFSA Journal
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Food is an elementary requirement for human life, providing nutrients and essential energy needed for optimal health. But at the same time, food can also be a vehicle of hazardous substances or pathogens that could affect human health negatively. Risk‐benefit assessment (RBA) of foods, a relatively new methodology for decision support, integrates nutrition, toxicology, microbiology, chemistry and human epidemiology for a comprehensive health impact assessment. By integrating health risks and benefits related to food consumption, RBA facilitates science‐based decision‐making in food‐related areas and the development of policies and consumer advice. The present work programme aimed to allow the fellow to become acquainted with the process of RBA and the associated tools needed to assess quantitatively the risks and the benefits through three main activities (i) to learn the different methodologies used for RBA; (ii) to apply these methodologies to a specific case‐study – RBA of raw milk consumption; and (iii) to participate in the main activities of the Risk‐Benefit research group at DTU Food regarding risk‐benefit issues. For the RBA of raw milk consumption, microbiological pathogens (Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella spp., Campylobacter jejuni and Shiga toxin‐producing Escherichia coli), probiotic bacteria and nutritional components (vitamins B2 and A) were considered, as well as the potential impact of raw milk consumption in the reduction of the allergies’ prevalence. Two major approaches were applied: the bottom‐up (estimating the disease incidence due to the exposure) and the top‐down (using epidemiological and incidence data to the estimate the number of cases attributable to a certain exposure). Through all the training and hands‐on activities performed, the present work programme enabled the fellow to extend the knowledge on the quantitative RBA, specifically in the context of raw milk consumption. EU‐FORA programme also provided an exceptional opportunity of networking and establishment of future research lines of collaboration.

ACS Style

Ricardo Assunção; Sara Monteiro Pires; Maarten Nauta. Risk‐Benefit Assessment of Foods. EFSA Journal 2019, 17, e170917 .

AMA Style

Ricardo Assunção, Sara Monteiro Pires, Maarten Nauta. Risk‐Benefit Assessment of Foods. EFSA Journal. 2019; 17 ():e170917.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Ricardo Assunção; Sara Monteiro Pires; Maarten Nauta. 2019. "Risk‐Benefit Assessment of Foods." EFSA Journal 17, no. : e170917.

Review
Published: 19 August 2019 in Trends in Food Science & Technology
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Breast milk is considered an essential food segment for children up to 6 months; however, it can be contaminated with some mycotoxins, such as aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) and ochratoxin A (OTA) as a consequence of ingestion of dietary mycotoxins by lactating mothers. Moreover, the health of infants can be threatened due to simultaneous exposure to a mixture of mycotoxins mainly due to their potential synergistic effects. An overview of the prevalence of mycotoxins in breast milk and infant formula, fruit- and cereal-based products as routine diets of infants during the last 10 years, besides the associated health risks, were presented. In this regard, the relevant citations published in international databases such as PubMed, Science direct from 2008 to 2019 were screened by the aid of a systematic review approach. The high prevalence of AFM1 and OTA in breast milk reported in several countries highlighted the extent of mycotoxin occurrence in the diet of lactating mothers. Furthermore, the exposure rates of infants to mycotoxins in breast milk and infant formula while generated a margin of exposure values lower than 10,000, indicating a huge public health concern. Thus, reducing the dietary exposure of mycotoxins for lactating mothers and approaching the required controlling steps during the processing and distribution of infant formulas are crucial. Further studies are recommended to evaluate the health risks to infants due to dietary exposure to multiple mycotoxins in infant foods.

ACS Style

Carolina Cebin Coppa; Amin Mousavi Khaneghah; Paula Alvito; Ricardo Assunção; Carla Martins; Ismail Es; Bruna Leonel Gonçalves; Diane Valganon de Neeff; Anderson S. Sant'Ana; Carlos Humberto Corassin; Carlos Oliveira. The occurrence of mycotoxins in breast milk, fruit products and cereal-based infant formula: A review. Trends in Food Science & Technology 2019, 92, 81 -93.

AMA Style

Carolina Cebin Coppa, Amin Mousavi Khaneghah, Paula Alvito, Ricardo Assunção, Carla Martins, Ismail Es, Bruna Leonel Gonçalves, Diane Valganon de Neeff, Anderson S. Sant'Ana, Carlos Humberto Corassin, Carlos Oliveira. The occurrence of mycotoxins in breast milk, fruit products and cereal-based infant formula: A review. Trends in Food Science & Technology. 2019; 92 ():81-93.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Carolina Cebin Coppa; Amin Mousavi Khaneghah; Paula Alvito; Ricardo Assunção; Carla Martins; Ismail Es; Bruna Leonel Gonçalves; Diane Valganon de Neeff; Anderson S. Sant'Ana; Carlos Humberto Corassin; Carlos Oliveira. 2019. "The occurrence of mycotoxins in breast milk, fruit products and cereal-based infant formula: A review." Trends in Food Science & Technology 92, no. : 81-93.

Journal article
Published: 26 June 2019 in International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health
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Mycotoxins constitute a relevant group of food contaminants with several associated health outcomes such as estrogenic, immunotoxic, nephrotoxic and teratogenic effects. Although scarce data are available in Portugal, human biomonitoring studies have been globally developed to assess the exposure to mycotoxins at individual level. In order to overcome this lack of data, the present study concerned the analysis of mycotoxins in 24h urine and first-morning urine paired samples from 94 participants enrolled within the scope of the National Food, Nutrition, and Physical Activity Survey of the Portuguese General Population (2015–2016). Following a salt-assisted matrix extraction, urine samples were analysed by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry for the simultaneous determination of 37 urinary mycotoxins’ biomarkers and data obtained used to estimate the probable daily intake as well as the risk characterization applying the Hazard Quotient approach. Results revealed the exposure of Portuguese population to zearalenone, deoxynivalenol, ochratoxin A, alternariol, citrinin and fumonisin B1 through the quantification in 24h urine and first-morning urine paired samples. Risk characterization data revealed a potential concern to some reported mycotoxins since the reference intake values were exceeded by some of the considered participants. Alternariol was identified for the first time in urine samples from a European country; however, risk characterization was not performed due to lack of reference intake value. These results confirmed mycotoxins as part of the human exposome of the Portuguese population reinforcing the need for further studies regarding the determinants of exposure.

ACS Style

C. Martins; Arnau Vidal; M. De Boevre; S. De Saeger; C. Nunes; Duarte Torres; A. Goios; Carla Lopes; Ricardo Assunção; Paula Alvito. Exposure assessment of Portuguese population to multiple mycotoxins: The human biomonitoring approach. International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health 2019, 222, 913 -925.

AMA Style

C. Martins, Arnau Vidal, M. De Boevre, S. De Saeger, C. Nunes, Duarte Torres, A. Goios, Carla Lopes, Ricardo Assunção, Paula Alvito. Exposure assessment of Portuguese population to multiple mycotoxins: The human biomonitoring approach. International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health. 2019; 222 (6):913-925.

Chicago/Turabian Style

C. Martins; Arnau Vidal; M. De Boevre; S. De Saeger; C. Nunes; Duarte Torres; A. Goios; Carla Lopes; Ricardo Assunção; Paula Alvito. 2019. "Exposure assessment of Portuguese population to multiple mycotoxins: The human biomonitoring approach." International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health 222, no. 6: 913-925.

Comparative study
Published: 15 June 2019 in Toxicology Letters
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Humans can be exposed to a complex and variable combination of mycotoxins. After ingestion, intestinal mucosa constitutes the first biological barrier that can be exposed to high concentrations of these toxins. The present study aimed to characterize the combined cytotoxicity, genotoxicity and impact on the gastrointestinal barrier integrity of patulin (PAT, 0.7 µM to 100 µM) and ochratoxin A (OTA, 1 µM to 200 µM) mixtures in Caco-2 cells. A dose-ratio deviation was verified for cytotoxicity, implying that OTA was mainly responsible for synergism when dominant in the mixture, while this pattern was changed to antagonism for the highest PAT concentrations. Genotoxicity (comet assay) results were compatible with an interactive DNA damaging effect at the highest PAT and OTA concentrations, not clearly mediated by the formation of oxidative DNA breaks. Regarding gastrointestinal barrier integrity, a potential synergism was attained at low levels of both mycotoxins, changing to antagonism at higher doses. The present results indicate that combined mycotoxins effects may arise at the intestinal level and should not be underestimated when evaluating their risk to human health.

ACS Style

Ricardo Assunção; Mariana Pinhão; Susana Loureiro; Paula Alvito; Maria João Silva. A multi-endpoint approach to the combined toxic effects of patulin and ochratoxin a in human intestinal cells. Toxicology Letters 2019, 313, 120 -129.

AMA Style

Ricardo Assunção, Mariana Pinhão, Susana Loureiro, Paula Alvito, Maria João Silva. A multi-endpoint approach to the combined toxic effects of patulin and ochratoxin a in human intestinal cells. Toxicology Letters. 2019; 313 ():120-129.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Ricardo Assunção; Mariana Pinhão; Susana Loureiro; Paula Alvito; Maria João Silva. 2019. "A multi-endpoint approach to the combined toxic effects of patulin and ochratoxin a in human intestinal cells." Toxicology Letters 313, no. : 120-129.

Review article
Published: 05 June 2019 in International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health
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Human biomonitoring (HBM) is an important tool to survey the internal exposure of humans which represents the real life chemical body burden to chemicals and/or their metabolites. It results from total exposure to chemical substances from different sources and via different routes. These substances may be regulated under different legislative frameworks on chemicals (e.g., environmental, occupational, food safety etc). In occupational health, HBM has long traditions to control the exposures at workplaces. By providing accurate data on internal exposure, HBM data can improve human health risk assessment (RA) for both the general population and workers. Although the past few years have shown good examples on the use of HBM in the RA of chemicals, there is still quite some work to be done to improve its use in a regulatory RA. Under the scope of the European Human Biomonitoring Initiative (project HBM4EU, 2017–2021), the current study reviews the state-of-the-art of HBM use in chemicals RA with a special focus in Europe, and attempts to identify hurdles and challenges faced by regulators. To gather information on the use of HBM, including the availability of guidance on how to use it in RA, the RA schemes applied by different European or international organizations were analysed. Examples of such use were identified for a few selected groups of chemicals of concern for human health. In addition, we present the results of a survey, aimed at collecting information from national regulatory risk assessors on their day-to-day RA practices, the use of HBM data, and the obstacles and challenges related to their use. The results evidenced and explained some of the current obstacles of using HBM data in RA. These included the lack of HBM guidance values or biomonitoring equivalents (BEs), limited toxicokinetic information to support the interpretation of HBM data and, in the occupational health and safety (OSH) field, the lack of legal enforcement. Therefore, to support the integration of HBM in regulatory RA, we recommend, on one hand, the elaboration of a EU level guidance on the use of HBM in RA and, on the other hand, the continuation of research efforts to integrate HBM with new RA approaches using in vitro/in silico data and Adverse Outcome Pathways (AOPs).

ACS Style

Henriqueta Louro; Milla Heinälä; Jos Bessems; Jurgen Buekers; Theo Vermeire; Marjolijn Woutersen; Jacqueline van Engelen; Teresa Borges; Christophe Rousselle; Eva Ougier; Paula Alvito; Carla Martins; Ricardo Assunção; Maria Joao Silva; Anjoeka Pronk; Bernice Schaddelee-Scholten; Maria Del Carmen Gonzalez; Mercedes de Alba; Argelia Castaño; Susana Viegas; Tatjana Humar-Juric; Lijana Kononenko; Alfonso Lampen; Anne Marie Vinggaard; Greta Schoeters; Marike Kolossa-Gehring; Tiina Santonen. Human biomonitoring in health risk assessment in Europe: Current practices and recommendations for the future. International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health 2019, 222, 727 -737.

AMA Style

Henriqueta Louro, Milla Heinälä, Jos Bessems, Jurgen Buekers, Theo Vermeire, Marjolijn Woutersen, Jacqueline van Engelen, Teresa Borges, Christophe Rousselle, Eva Ougier, Paula Alvito, Carla Martins, Ricardo Assunção, Maria Joao Silva, Anjoeka Pronk, Bernice Schaddelee-Scholten, Maria Del Carmen Gonzalez, Mercedes de Alba, Argelia Castaño, Susana Viegas, Tatjana Humar-Juric, Lijana Kononenko, Alfonso Lampen, Anne Marie Vinggaard, Greta Schoeters, Marike Kolossa-Gehring, Tiina Santonen. Human biomonitoring in health risk assessment in Europe: Current practices and recommendations for the future. International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health. 2019; 222 (5):727-737.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Henriqueta Louro; Milla Heinälä; Jos Bessems; Jurgen Buekers; Theo Vermeire; Marjolijn Woutersen; Jacqueline van Engelen; Teresa Borges; Christophe Rousselle; Eva Ougier; Paula Alvito; Carla Martins; Ricardo Assunção; Maria Joao Silva; Anjoeka Pronk; Bernice Schaddelee-Scholten; Maria Del Carmen Gonzalez; Mercedes de Alba; Argelia Castaño; Susana Viegas; Tatjana Humar-Juric; Lijana Kononenko; Alfonso Lampen; Anne Marie Vinggaard; Greta Schoeters; Marike Kolossa-Gehring; Tiina Santonen. 2019. "Human biomonitoring in health risk assessment in Europe: Current practices and recommendations for the future." International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health 222, no. 5: 727-737.

Journal article
Published: 27 March 2019 in Food and Chemical Toxicology
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This study aimed to assess the exposure of Brazilian residents (N = 86) from rural areas to multiple mycotoxins and characterize the associated risk in two sampling periods (SP) (April–May and December/2016). Mycotoxins in food and urine samples were determined by liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry. Mean probable daily intake (PDI) values based on occurrence data in foods in both SP varied from 0.007 to 0.013, 0.069 to 1.002, 0.119 to 0.321 and 0.013–0.156 μg kg−1 body weight (bw) day−1 for aflatoxins (AFs), deoxynivalenol (DON), fumonisins (FBs) and zearalenone (ZEN), respectively. Mean PDI values based on urinary biomarkers were 0.001, 84.914, 0.031, 0.377 and 0.002 μg kg−1 bw day−1 for AFB1, DON, ochratoxin A (OTA), FB1 and ZEN, respectively. Hazard quotient (HQ) calculated using food data revealed a potential health concern for ZEN in 2nd SP. HQ > 1 based on urinary biomarkers were observed for DON in the two SP. Although OTA was not detected in any food sample, the HQ based on urinary OTA levels was >1 in the 1st SP. Margin of exposure values for AF from food and urine data in the 1st SP were below 10,000, indicating potential health risks.

ACS Style

Larissa T. Franco; Tânia Petta; George E. Rottinghaus; Keliani Bordin; Gilmar A. Gomes; Paula Alvito; Ricardo Assunção; Carlos A.F. Oliveira. Assessment of mycotoxin exposure and risk characterization using occurrence data in foods and urinary biomarkers in Brazil. Food and Chemical Toxicology 2019, 128, 21 -34.

AMA Style

Larissa T. Franco, Tânia Petta, George E. Rottinghaus, Keliani Bordin, Gilmar A. Gomes, Paula Alvito, Ricardo Assunção, Carlos A.F. Oliveira. Assessment of mycotoxin exposure and risk characterization using occurrence data in foods and urinary biomarkers in Brazil. Food and Chemical Toxicology. 2019; 128 ():21-34.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Larissa T. Franco; Tânia Petta; George E. Rottinghaus; Keliani Bordin; Gilmar A. Gomes; Paula Alvito; Ricardo Assunção; Carlos A.F. Oliveira. 2019. "Assessment of mycotoxin exposure and risk characterization using occurrence data in foods and urinary biomarkers in Brazil." Food and Chemical Toxicology 128, no. : 21-34.

Protocol
Published: 18 March 2019 in Nature Protocols
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Developing a mechanistic understanding of the impact of food structure and composition on human health has increasingly involved simulating digestion in the upper gastrointestinal tract. These simulations have used a wide range of different conditions that often have very little physiological relevance, and this impedes the meaningful comparison of results. The standardized protocol presented here is based on an international consensus developed by the COST INFOGEST network. The method is designed to be used with standard laboratory equipment and requires limited experience to encourage a wide range of researchers to adopt it. It is a static digestion method that uses constant ratios of meal to digestive fluids and a constant pH for each step of digestion. This makes the method simple to use but not suitable for simulating digestion kinetics. Using this method, food samples are subjected to sequential oral, gastric and intestinal digestion while parameters such as electrolytes, enzymes, bile, dilution, pH and time of digestion are based on available physiological data. This amended and improved digestion method (INFOGEST 2.0) avoids challenges associated with the original method, such as the inclusion of the oral phase and the use of gastric lipase. The method can be used to assess the endpoints resulting from digestion of foods by analyzing the digestion products (e.g., peptides/amino acids, fatty acids, simple sugars) and evaluating the release of micronutrients from the food matrix. The whole protocol can be completed in ~7 d, including ~5 d required for the determination of enzyme activities.

ACS Style

André Brodkorb; Charlotte Egger; Marie Alminger; Paula Alvito; Ricardo Assunção; Simon Ballance; Torsten Bohn; Claire Bourlieu-Lacanal; Rachel Boutrou; Frédéric Carrière; Alfonso Clemente; Milena Corredig; Didier Dupont; Claire Dufour; Cathrina Edwards; Matt Golding; Sibel Karakaya; Bente Kirkhus; Steven Le Feunteun; Uri Lesmes; Adam Macierzanka; Alan R. Mackie; Carla Martins; Sébastien Marze; David Julian McClements; Olivia Ménard; Mans Minekus; Reto Portmann; Claudia Nunes dos Santos; Isabelle Souchon; R. Paul Singh; Gerd E. Vegarud; Martin S. J. Wickham; Werner Weitschies; Isidra Recio. INFOGEST static in vitro simulation of gastrointestinal food digestion. Nature Protocols 2019, 14, 991 -1014.

AMA Style

André Brodkorb, Charlotte Egger, Marie Alminger, Paula Alvito, Ricardo Assunção, Simon Ballance, Torsten Bohn, Claire Bourlieu-Lacanal, Rachel Boutrou, Frédéric Carrière, Alfonso Clemente, Milena Corredig, Didier Dupont, Claire Dufour, Cathrina Edwards, Matt Golding, Sibel Karakaya, Bente Kirkhus, Steven Le Feunteun, Uri Lesmes, Adam Macierzanka, Alan R. Mackie, Carla Martins, Sébastien Marze, David Julian McClements, Olivia Ménard, Mans Minekus, Reto Portmann, Claudia Nunes dos Santos, Isabelle Souchon, R. Paul Singh, Gerd E. Vegarud, Martin S. J. Wickham, Werner Weitschies, Isidra Recio. INFOGEST static in vitro simulation of gastrointestinal food digestion. Nature Protocols. 2019; 14 (4):991-1014.

Chicago/Turabian Style

André Brodkorb; Charlotte Egger; Marie Alminger; Paula Alvito; Ricardo Assunção; Simon Ballance; Torsten Bohn; Claire Bourlieu-Lacanal; Rachel Boutrou; Frédéric Carrière; Alfonso Clemente; Milena Corredig; Didier Dupont; Claire Dufour; Cathrina Edwards; Matt Golding; Sibel Karakaya; Bente Kirkhus; Steven Le Feunteun; Uri Lesmes; Adam Macierzanka; Alan R. Mackie; Carla Martins; Sébastien Marze; David Julian McClements; Olivia Ménard; Mans Minekus; Reto Portmann; Claudia Nunes dos Santos; Isabelle Souchon; R. Paul Singh; Gerd E. Vegarud; Martin S. J. Wickham; Werner Weitschies; Isidra Recio. 2019. "INFOGEST static in vitro simulation of gastrointestinal food digestion." Nature Protocols 14, no. 4: 991-1014.