Tackling food contamination threats of the future

A range of biological, chemical and physical contaminants combined with emerging risks including demographic changes, economic trends and environmental degradation could lead to increased food safety concerns for people around the world.

A new study, published in Journal of Environmental Management, presents a timely review of current types of food contaminants, advances in detection technologies, emerging risks and the latest developments in regulatory frameworks.

After analysing 116 peer-reviewed papers published between 2019 and 2024, the team of researchers from the Universities of Birmingham, Bedfordshire and Oxford emphasise the urgent need for international collaboration and technological innovations, such as artificial intelligence (AI) for real-time contamination detection and prediction, to address the growing challenges and risks posed by food contamination across the globe.

The study categorised food contaminants into three main types: 

1. Biological contaminants include pathogens like bacteria and viruses.
2. Chemical contaminants encompass pesticides, heavy metals and naturally occurring toxins.
3. Physical contaminants involve foreign objects such as microplastics and packaging materials.

The researchers also identified six key drivers of current and future food safety risks:

1. Demographic changes
2. Economic factors
3. Environmental conditions
4. Geopolitical shifts
5. Consumer priorities
6. Technological advancements

“Our review shows that food contamination is a borderless threat that no nation can tackle alone. Pairing next-generation detection technologies with stronger international partnerships will be critical to keeping harmful contaminants out of the global food supply,” said co-author Dr Helen Onyeaka, from the University of Birmingham.

“The data reveal that contaminants of emerging concern are surfacing faster than many food-safety systems can track them. Leveraging artificial intelligence for real-time surveillance will enable regulators and industry to spot risks earlier and intervene before they reach consumers.”

The researchers highlight the uneven understanding of contaminants of emerging concern and their impact on the food system, environment and human health. They recommend several policy developments, including:

• Greater international collaboration in food contamination research — sharing information and knowledge among international organisations, governments and industries.
• Harmonising food safety legislation across regions to address the global nature of food contamination.
• Investing in cutting-edge detection technologies to improve the transparency and traceability of the food supply chain.
• Identifying regional differences in food contamination prevention measures to address the specific drivers of food safety risks in different regions.
• Increasing public awareness and education on food safety to enhance the public’s understanding of food contamination risks and prevention strategies.

Co-author Professor Lord John Krebs, FRS, said: “Science-based, transparent regulation must keep pace with the accelerating complexity of the food chain. By integrating real-time data and global cooperation, we can modernise food safety for the challenges ahead.”

The study highlights the significant progress that has been made in developing novel detection technologies, including biosensors, spectroscopic techniques and machine learning applications. These technologies offer rapid, sensitive and cost-effective solutions for detecting food contaminants, enhancing the effectiveness of food safety measures. However, there are still inconsistent international regulations, together with a lack of structured foresight on emerging risks and limited uptake of digital innovations in food safety systems.

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