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Consumers are regularly exposed to well-known food contaminants (FCs), which are typically assessed for risk on an individual basis. However, there is limited knowledge about the overall levels and combinations of these compounds depending on dietary choices. The goal of this study was to estimate the real-life mixtures of FCs in different dietary models by integrating extensive data from the scientific literature concerning the reliable quantification of FCs in foods. A FAIR database detailing the occurrence of 73 FCs in 16 foods commonly consumed was built. The data were integrated into an omnivorous and a vegetarian dietary model. A weighted estimate of the 25th, 50th, and 75th percentiles of FCs in both dietary models revealed that the omnivorous model presented slightly higher levels of FCs than the vegetarian. At the 25th percentile, the FC levels in both dietary models fall within the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) reference exposure levels for chemical hazards, except for arsenic, lead, cadmium, fumonisin B1, and OTA. At the 75th percentile, the FC levels exceed the EFSA reference levels for those FCs and additional mycotoxins. Using in vitro models, the 25th percentile can mimic real-life FC exposure, while the 75th percentile simulates a possible worst-case scenario. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Consumers are regularly exposed to well-known food contaminants (FCs), which are typically assessed for risk on an individual basis. However, there is limited knowledge about the overall levels and combinations of these compounds depending on dietary choices. The goal of this study was to estimate the real-life mixtures of FCs in different dietary models by integrating extensive data from the scientific literature concerning the reliable quantification of FCs in foods. A FAIR database detailing the occurrence of 73 FCs in 16 foods commonly consumed was built. The data were integrated into an omnivorous and a vegetarian dietary model. A weighted estimate of the 25th, 50th, and 75th percentiles of FCs in both dietary models revealed that the omnivorous model presented slightly higher levels of FCs than the vegetarian. At the 25th percentile, the FC levels in both dietary models fall within the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) reference exposure levels for chemical hazards, except for arsenic, lead, cadmium, fumonisin B1, and OTA. At the 75th percentile, the FC levels exceed the EFSA reference levels for those FCs and additional mycotoxins. Using in vitro models, the 25th percentile can mimic real-life FC exposure, while the 75th percentile simulates a possible worst-case scenario.

This introductory article presents the three main challenges faced in economics to issues raised by dietary models. The first part of this paper examines the dietary models that maximise the health profile of a population under various constraints, including environmental and agronomic criteria. The second part introduces the possibilities of economic modelling to complement these dietary models, despite the limitations of economic approaches. The third part suggests new research proposals by asserting that overlooked questions deserve further scrutiny. We emphasise that economic models are particularly useful to analyse trade-offs between the various objectives underlying a sustainable food system. However, possible improvements should tackle, first, possible substitutions between food categories by consumers; second, adjustments in supply chains; and third, measures of inequality resulting from significant changes towards sustainability. Such improvements may be difficult to realise but are technically possible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Worldwide, humanity is facing severe nutritional imbalances, which are dependent on access to food and the dietary habits of particular populations that can make them susceptible to malnutrition. This study aims to identify and analyze the main food supply patterns (FSPs) of populations worldwide, and then to relate them to their respective malnutrition conditions. The hypothesis is that there are specific, geographically identifiable FSPs that are associated with the nutritional misalignment of certain populations to a greater degree than others. This investigation is based on data regarding the supply of the main food groups worldwide, as well as the metrics associated with malnutrition. Data analyses were performed using descriptive statistics, cluster analysis, ANOVA, and correlation analysis. The results suggest the existence of nine clusters of countries with specific FSPs that differ significantly regarding their supplies of macronutrients and their malnutrition traits. Furthermore, using Pearson's coefficient of variation (CV) to assess the balance level (or symmetry) of each FSP, reflecting the average supply of food groups, the results suggest the existence of a positive and significant correlation ( r = 0.6364; p = 0.000) between the imbalance level of particular FSPs and the prevalence of underweight children in their respective populations. Also, FSPs 1, 3, and 4 are strongly associated with obesogenic traits, with FSP 3 being the most strongly associated with the prevalence of overweight. According to our analyses, the FSPs of Southern Africa (with a strong prevalence of child overweight) and Southern Asia (with a strong prevalence of child underweight) lead to the worst conditions observed, while the populations with the best nutritional status are based on the FSP of Eastern Asia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]