Divine Aleru is an accomplished biochemist and researcher with a specialized background in environmental toxicology, focusing on the impacts of heavy metals on human health. With deep-rooted expertise in microbiome signatures analysis, Divine seamlessly blends rigorous scientific training with her passion for deciphering the intricate relationships between environmental exposures and the human microbiome. Her career is distinguished by a commitment to advancing integrative health interventions, leveraging cutting-edge microbiome research to illuminate how toxic metals shape biological systems. Driven by curiosity and innovation, Divine is dedicated to translating complex environmental findings into actionable insights that improve individual and public health outcomes. 
Divine Aleru is an accomplished biochemist and researcher with a specialized background in environmental toxicology, focusing on the impacts of heavy metals on human health. With deep-rooted expertise in microbiome signatures analysis, Divine seamlessly blends rigorous scientific training with her passion for deciphering the intricate relationships between environmental exposures and the human microbiome. Her career is distinguished by a commitment to advancing integrative health interventions, leveraging cutting-edge microbiome research to illuminate how toxic metals shape biological systems. Driven by curiosity and innovation, Divine is dedicated to translating complex environmental findings into actionable insights that improve individual and public health outcomes. What was issued?
This review focuses on feasible approaches for arsenic speciation analysis in foods, addressing methods for dietary exposure assessment. It highlights arsenic’s occurrence in both inorganic and organic forms, with inorganic arsenic (iAs) being more toxic. This toxicity is primarily associated with long-term exposure, leading to cancer, skin lesions, and cardiovascular diseases. The review discusses the necessity of arsenic speciation in food analysis, particularly in common food sources like rice, where iAs is prevalent. The paper also evaluates current analytical methods for arsenic speciation in food, especially concerning inorganic arsenic, monomethyl arsenic (MMA), and dimethyl arsenic (DMA), and their efficacy in dietary exposure assessments. Furthermore, the review acknowledges the challenges presented by thiolated arsenic species, which complicate the extraction and identification of arsenic compounds in foodstuffs.
Who is affected?
The target stakeholders for this review include food manufacturers, regulators, and health authorities focused on food safety. Consumers, particularly those who rely on staple foods such as rice, may also be directly impacted due to the risk posed by inorganic arsenic in their diets. Populations who consume large amounts of contaminated foods, especially in regions with high arsenic levels in groundwater, face an increased risk of chronic arsenic exposure. Regulatory bodies and public health officials need to ensure that analytical methods can accurately measure arsenic species in foods to protect public health.
Most important findings
The review reveals that arsenic speciation analysis is essential for accurately assessing dietary exposure. While inorganic arsenic is more toxic, some organic forms, like methylated arsenicals, still pose significant health risks. Several challenges complicate the analysis of arsenic species in food, including the transformation of thiolated arsenic compounds into methylated species during extraction processes. A major recommendation is to improve the sensitivity and accuracy of detection methods for arsenic species, particularly in foods like rice and seafood, where toxic species such as DMA and MMA are commonly found. Analytical techniques such as liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (LC-ICP-MS/MS) are preferred for their precision, though low detection limits remain a concern. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has lowered the benchmark dose of inorganic arsenic, emphasizing the need for better analytical capabilities to assess dietary exposure.
Key implications
The implications for the food industry and public health are significant. Accurate arsenic speciation is crucial for determining exposure levels and ensuring food safety. Manufacturers must adopt improved testing methods to meet regulatory standards and avoid health risks associated with arsenic contamination. Public health policies must adapt to ensure that food safety regulations are aligned with the latest scientific findings on arsenic toxicity. The review calls for continued research into more sensitive detection methods and the development of standardized approaches for arsenic speciation, which will help ensure compliance with emerging global food safety standards. For consumers, this research highlights the need for increased awareness of arsenic levels in foods, particularly in regions where arsenic contamination is a known issue.
Citation
Chung, S. W. C. (2025). Feasible approaches for arsenic speciation analysis in foods for dietary exposure assessment: a review. Food Additives & Contaminants: Part A, 42(3), 342–358. https://doi.org/10.1080/19440049.2025.2449663
Arsenic is a naturally occurring metalloid that ranks first on the ATSDR toxic substances list. Inorganic arsenic contaminates water, rice and consumer products, and exposure is linked to cardiovascular disease, cognitive deficits, low birth weight and cancer. HMTC’s stringent certification applies ALARA principles to protect vulnerable populations.
