Clinical Pharmacist and Master’s student in Clinical Pharmacy with research interests in pharmacovigilance, behavioral interventions in mental health, and AI applications in clinical decision support. Experience includes digital health research with Bloomsbury Health (London) and pharmacovigilance practice in patient support programs. Published work covers drug awareness among healthcare providers, postpartum depression management, and patient safety reporting. 
Clinical Pharmacist and Master’s student in Clinical Pharmacy with research interests in pharmacovigilance, behavioral interventions in mental health, and AI applications in clinical decision support. Experience includes digital health research with Bloomsbury Health (London) and pharmacovigilance practice in patient support programs. Published work covers drug awareness among healthcare providers, postpartum depression management, and patient safety reporting. What was studied?
This original research article investigated the concentrations of heavy metals in commercially available canned and packed fruit juices from both local and imported sources in Lahore, Pakistan. The study was designed to systematically quantify the mean concentrations of nine heavy metals: lead (Pb), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), selenium (Se), magnesium (Mg), and iron (Fe). The main objective was to compare the detected levels with the permissible limits set by the World Health Organization (WHO) and evaluate the safety of these products for human consumption. The research utilized a di-acid digestion method for sample preparation, followed by analysis using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS). This approach allows for precise quantification of trace metals in food products, which is critical for programs like the Heavy Metal Tested and Certified (HTMC) initiative. The study’s findings are particularly relevant for industry regulation, as they highlight the potential health risks associated with heavy metal contamination in widely consumed beverages.
Who was studied?
The study examined 40 fruit juice samples representing a cross-section of both local and imported brands, available from a variety of retail outlets in Lahore. The samples were divided into four distinct groups, each containing ten products: local packed, imported packed, local canned, and imported canned fruit juices. Brands were selected from shops, bakeries, and supermarkets to ensure a representative sample of what consumers in Lahore can access. The selection covered a broad spectrum of commercially available juices, reflecting both domestic production and international imports. This sampling approach ensures that the results are relevant to both local manufacturers and importers, as well as to regulatory authorities concerned with public health and food safety standards.
Most important findings
| Heavy Metal | WHO Limit (ppm) | Local Packed (Mean ± SD) | Imported Packed (Mean ± SD) | Local Canned (Mean ± SD) | Imported Canned (Mean ± SD) | Exceeds WHO Limit? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lead (Pb) | 0.01 | 8.03 ± 2.55 | 11.07 ± 2.59 | 11.71 ± 4.35 | 9.84 ± 3.54 | Yes (all groups) |
| Copper (Cu) | 2 | ND | ND | 48.23 ± 42.64 | 13.56 ± 0.81 | Yes (canned only) |
| Magnesium (Mg) | 50 | 55.89 ± 13.15 | 63.67 ± 31.57 | 50.33 ± 17.10 | 56.3 ± 33.33 | Yes (all groups) |
| Nickel (Ni) | 0.07 | 11.78 ± 7.67 | 13.3 ± 14.3 | 6.66 ± 3.25 | 8.51 ± 5.87 | Yes (all groups) |
| Iron (Fe) | 1 | 73.4 ± 12.42 | 73.0 ± 30.61 | 68.14 ± 42.11 | 59.3 ± 5.77 | Yes (all groups) |
| Chromium (Cr) | 0.05 | 21.38 ± 1.83 | 20.47 ± 1.76 | 20.70 ± 2.41 | 20.05 ± 1.83 | Yes (all groups) |
| Zinc (Zn) | 5 | 3.94 ± 2.13 | 1.5 ± 1.75 | 8.87 ± 12.45 | 1.0 ± 1.1 | Yes (local canned) |
| Selenium (Se) | 0.04 | 5.29 ± 2.66 | 9.1 ± 9.33 | 5.34 ± 2.03 | 16.05 ± 9.69 | Yes (all groups) |
| Manganese (Mn) | 0.4 | 4.23 ± 2.83 | 2.91 ± 1.37 | 3.68 ± 1.07 | 4.99 ± 3.45 | Yes (all groups) |
ND = Not Detected
The most critical finding is that seven of the nine heavy metals analyzed (Pb, Mg, Ni, Fe, Cr, Se, Mn) were consistently above WHO permissible limits in all product groups, regardless of packaging or origin.
Key implications
The study underscores significant risks of heavy metal exposure through fruit juice consumption in Lahore, highlighting the urgent need for stricter monitoring, improved production controls, and enforcement of heavy metal certification standards for both domestic and imported products to protect consumer health and support regulatory compliance.
Citation
Fatima N, Khan M, Shuaib Kabeer M. Evaluation of heavy metals content in the canned/packed fruit juices from local and imported origin in Lahore, Pakistan. J food safe & hyg. 2020;6(4):183-197.
Heavy metals are high-density elements that accumulate in the body and environment, disrupting biological processes. Lead, cadmium, arsenic, mercury, nickel, tin, aluminum, and chromium are of greatest concern due to persistence, bioaccumulation, and health risks, making them central to the HMTC program’s safety standards.
Lead is a neurotoxic heavy metal with no safe exposure level. It contaminates food, consumer goods and drinking water, causing cognitive deficits, birth defects and cardiovascular disease. HMTC’s rigorous lead testing applies ALARA principles to protect infants and consumers and to prepare brands for tightening regulations.
Nickel is a widely used transition metal found in alloys, batteries, and consumer products that also contaminates food and water. High exposure is linked to allergic contact dermatitis, organ toxicity, and developmental effects, with children often exceeding EFSA’s tolerable daily intake of 3 μg/kg bw. Emerging evidence shows nickel crosses the placenta, elevating risks of preterm birth and congenital heart defects, underscoring HMTC’s stricter limits to safeguard vulnerable populations.
