Abstract:Objective To evaluate the potential health risks of the food additive aspartame to the Chinese population.Methods Hazard assessment was conducted through literature retrieval and analysis. Based on the maximum usage level of aspartame specified in national standards， combined with the National Food and Beverage Consumption Survey of Chinese residents， the theoretical daily exposure was calculated using the simple distribution assessment method.Results Toxicological data indicated that aspartame was classified as practically non-toxic in terms of acute toxicity， with no evidence of genotoxicity， neurotoxicity， or reproductive and developmental toxicity. The no-observed-adverse-effect levels （NOAELs） in animal chronic toxicity tests were 4 000 mg/（kg·BW）. Most carcinogenicity assessment studies yielded negative results， with the exception for a few animal studies with methodological limitations. Human epidemiological studies have not yet found a clear association between aspartame and cancer. Based on rat chronic toxicity tests， the acceptable daily intake （ADI） was determined to be 0-40 mg/（kg·BW）. Exposure assessment results showed that the average daily theoretical exposure of aspartame for the general Chinese population was 2.89 mg/（kg·BW）， which is well below the ADI. The exposure for high-intake consumers （P₉₅） was 13.29 mg/（kg·BW）， accounting for only 33.22% of the ADI. The P₉₅ exposure for populations in all gender and age groups were lower than the ADI.Conclusion There is insufficient evidence for the carcinogenicity of aspartame to humans， and the available scientific evidence supports the safety of aspartame when used in accordance with regulations. The health risks posed by aspartame intake in the Chinese population are within acceptable limits.

Abstract:Objective To investigate the consumption purposes， behavioral characteristics and attribute cognition of food-medicine dual-purpose substances among residents in Miluo and Liuyang cities of Hu’nan Province， and to provide scientific evidence for the safety evaluation and standard development of these substances.Methods From July to November 2024， a questionnaire survey was conducted among 1 061 residents aged 18 years and older in Liuyang and Miluo city， Hu’nan Province， using a convenience sampling method. Information on the consumption status， consumption purposes， and attribute cognition of 78 food-medicine substances within the past 12 months was collected and analyzed. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 27.0 software.Results The primary purposes for consuming food-medicine dual-purpose substances were health care （80.6%， 855/1 061） and disease treatment （76.9%， 816/1 061）. Among the 1 061 participants， 47.1% perceived these substances as foods， while 32.2% as medicines， and significant differences in attribute cognition were observed among occupational groups （P=0.011）. The top three substances by consumption rate were Lycium barbarum （80.3%， 852/1 061）， Illicium verum （74.7%， 792/1 061）， and Chrysanthemum （72.0%， 764/1 061）. The consumption rates of Colla Corii Asini （Ejiao） and Rosa rugosa were higher in females than in males （P<0.05）. The consumption rates of Chrysanthemum and Lonicera japonica increased with age （P<0.005）. Lycium barbarum had the highest monthly consumption frequency （1.0 time per month） and monthly consumption amount （6.0 g per month）， whereas Portulaca oleracea had the highest single consumption amount （50.0 g）. The median consumption breadth index of food-medicine dual-purpose substances was 17.0 （10.0， 25.0）， with significant differences observed among age groups （P=0.005） and income levels （P<0.001）.Conclusion The consumption of food-medicine dual-purpose substances is prevalent among residents in Miluo and Liuyang cities in Hu’nan Province， with consumption rates varied considerably across different substances. To ensure their rational use， it is recommended to strengthen the scientific evaluation of their usage and dosage， and promote public education on standardized consumption.

Abstract:Objective To construct a probabilistic dietary exposure assessment model for chemical contaminants based on R language and explore its application through a case study.Methods Using food consumption survey data and food safety monitoring data on Alternaria toxins in maize from Ningxia， a model was constructed through data processing， distribution fitting， and bootstrap sampling nested within Monte Carlo simulations using R. The consistency between the results generated by @RISK and those from the Monte Carlo simulation within the model was then verified and evaluated.Results A probabilistic dietary exposure assessment model for chemical contaminants was successfully developed in R. The variability and uncertainty of exposure levels could be quantified by bootstrap sampling nested with Monte Carlo simulation. The Monte Carlo simulation results of this model showed consistency and reliability with the exposure levels generated by @RISK， in terms of non-zero exposure proportion （chi-square test， P>0.05） or exposure levels （Wilcoxon rank-sum test， P>0.05）.Conclusion A complete technical pathway in R for constructing a model from data processing to result visualization is established， which provides an efficient and open-source methodological reference for the probabilistic assessment of dietary exposure to chemical contaminants.

Abstract:Objective To establish a non-targeted screening method using liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry （LC-HRMS） for investigating the occurrence and category distribution of chemical substances in animal-derived foods.Methods Commercially available samples of beef， eggs， liver， milk， honey， and aquatic products were collected. Target compounds were extracted using a low-temperature induced liquid-liquid extraction method. Sample signals were acquired by LC-HRMS in full-scan and data-dependent MS/MS modes. Public databases were used for compound identification and annotation， and the detected compounds were classified into 10 categories according to their sources and structural characteristics for statistical analysis.Results Among all the classified compounds， endogenous metabolites accounted for 49.1% in eggs， aromatic hydrocarbons accounted for 24.1% in beef， and halogenated compounds （22.4%） and steroid hormones （11.3%） were relatively abundant in aquatic products. Carboxylic acids and ketones were the predominant class in liver， milk， and honey. Drugs comprised 13.3% of the compounds detected in liver， while extractables and leachables comprised 12.8% of those in honey.Conclusion The composition of chemical substances differ significantly among the animal-derived foods. Non-targeted screening provides a basis for prioritizing compounds and potential emerging chemical hazards in subsequent studies.

Abstract:Objective To investigate the lipid metabolic differences between the highly poisonous Russula subnigricans and its two morphologically similar and edible species Russula nigricans and Russula huotanjun， thereby providing a scientific basis for the species discrimination of R. subnigricans from R. nigricans and R. huotanjun.Methods A widely-targeted lipidomics approach based on ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole-linear ion trap mass spectrometry （UHPLC-QTRAP-MS/MS） was employed to analyze the lipid profiles of R. subnigricans， R. nigricans， and R. huotanjun. Multivariate statistical methods， including principal component analysis （PCA） and partial least squares-discriminant analysis （PLS-DA）， were combined to systematically compare lipid profile characteristics and screen for differential biomarkers.Results A total of 527 （25 classes）， 495 （24 classes）， and 533 （25 classes） lipid molecules were precisely identified in R. subnigricans， R. nigricans， and R. huotanjun， respectively. Multivariate statistical analysis revealed significant interspecific separation in the lipid compositions of these three types of mushrooms. Based on the criteria of variable importance in projection VIP>1.2 and P<0.001， 34 differential lipids were successfully screened.Conclusion Significant differences exist in the lipid metabolic networks between R. subnigricans and the two edible species （R. nigricans and R. huotanjun）. The 34 identified characteristic lipid molecules can serve as potential biomarkers for species discrimination among R. subnigricans， R. nigricans and R. huotanjun， providing robust data to support the screening of identification markers and research on targeted recognition.

Abstract:Objective This study aims to investigate the public’s cognition and characteristics regarding prepared dishes.Methods This study systematically collected 707 155 public comments related to “prepared dishes” on online platforms from May 2023 to June 2024， followed by descriptive and structural equation modeling analysis.Results The overall attitude of the public tended to be negative， with a satisfaction rate of 31.50% and a purchase intention rate of 36.76%. The main negative emotions were doubt and blame， and the average cognitive depth was 1.48， which was at a relatively low level. Among different categories， prepared vegetable dishes were more difficult to be accepted. The public’s willingness to purchase prepared dishes was mainly influenced by factors such as price， nutritional content of raw materials， and quality characteristics， which is consistent with the current public opinion situation.Conclusion Relevant government departments should pay attention to the public perceptions and public opinion patterns regarding prepared dishes， optimize targeted risk management measures and better address consumer needs.

Abstract:Objective To investigate the contamination of Salmonella in retail pork in Beijing during 2020—2021， and to characterize the antimicrobial resistance and genomic features of the Salmonella isolates.Methods From December 2020 to November 2021， 232 retail pork samples were collected in Beijing. Salmonella was isolated and identified according to GB 4789.4—2016. The isolates were confirmed by polymerase chain reaction and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was conducted using Gram-negative bacteria susceptibility cards. Whole genome sequencing and bioinformatics analysis were performed to determine the genetic characteristics of the isolates.Results Of the 232 retail pork samples tested， 89 were positive for Salmonella， yielding a contamination rate of 38.36%. The highest contamination rate was observed in autumn， reaching 50.00% （30/60）. Salmonella Typhimurium monophasic variant and Salmonella Rissen were the predominant serotypes， collectively accounting for 57.30% （51/89）. The overall resistance rate among isolates was relatively high （87.64%， 78/89）. Two Salmonella Derby isolates exhibited simultaneous resistance against 9 tested antimicrobial agents across 5 classes. The multi-drug resistance rate remained relatively low （19.10%， 17/89）. Notably， a high resistance rate to tigecycline was observed （47.19%， 42/89）， which correlated well with the prevalent carriage of tet（A） and tet（B） genes in these isolates.Conclusion Retail pork samples collected in Beijing during 2020—2021 shows a high Salmonella contamination rate. Salmonella Typhimurium monophasic variant and Salmonella Rissen are the dominant serotypes. The isolates exhibit a high resistance rate to tigecycline. Continuous monitoring of Salmonella contamination in retail pork and further research on resistance mechanisms are warranted to provide a scientific basis for preventing and controlling foodborne diseases caused by Salmonella.

Abstract:Objective To systematically analyze the domestic and international literature on exogenous risk factors associated with the yellow mealworm （Tenebrio molitor）， and to comprehensively review the contamination characteristics， accumulation patterns， and health risks of exogenous risk factors during rearing， processing， and consumption.Methods A comprehensive search was conducted in domestic and international databases for studies published between 2003 and 2025 on exogenous risk factors in the yellow mealworm. After screening according to the predefined inclusion criteria， the eligible studies were included for analysis. The reported exogenous risk factors were classified into heavy metals， biotoxins， processing by-products， emerging contaminants， and so on. The contamination pathways， bioaccumulation factors， toxicological effects， and exposure risks of each category were summarized and analyzed.Results The yellow mealworm exhibited a strong bioaccumulation capacity for heavy metals such as lead， cadmium， mercury， and arsenic， with bioaccumulation factors generally ≥1 and reaching as high as 34 for lead. The larvae show a certain degree of degradation and tolerance to biotoxins such as aflatoxin B? and deoxynivalenol， however， residual from biotoxin metabolites remained as potential risks. Processing procedures， such as high-temperature roasting and frying， may generate harmful substances including acrylamide and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Emerging contaminants， such as microplastics and polychlorinated biphenyls， may also be retained in or accumulated by the yellow mealworm.Conclusion As a novel animal-derived food resource， the yellow mealworm is susceptible to various exogenous risk factors. Strengthening control at the source and optimizing processing procedures are essential for risk prevention and control. Future research should focus on establishing whole-chain risk prediction models and investigating the synergistic effects of combined risk factors， thereby providing a scientific basis for the safe application of novel animal-derived food resources.

Abstract:Objective To understand the contamination levels of 24 per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances （PFASs） in fishes sold in Tianjin， and conduct characteristic analysis and health risk assessments.Methods The concentrations of PFASs were determined by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry （UPLC-MS/MS）. Comparison was performed using nonparametric tests. Health risk assessment was carried out by calculating the hazard quotient （HQ） values.Results A total of 103 marine fish and 70 freshwater fish samples were tested for PFASs contamination. Seventeen kinds of PFASs were detected in marine fish， with ∑PFASs concentrations ranging from 0.160 to 34.223 μg/kg. Fourteen kinds of PFASs were detected in freshwater fish， with ∑PFASs concentrations ranging from 0.158 to 8.690 μg/kg. PFASs detected in both types of fishes were predominantly long chain compounds， and the component with the highest detection rate in both types was all PFOS. The detection rate of F-53B（6/2） in freshwater fish was 14.286%. The concentrations of ∑PFASs and 8 individual PFASs differed significantly in the two fish types. The HQ values of PFOA， PFOS and PFNA were all below 1.Conclusion There is a certain degree of PFASs contamination in fishes sold in Tianjin， but the associated health risks are within acceptable limits， indicating an overall low safey concern.

Abstract:Objective Current semi-quantitative risk assessment tools （e.g.， Risk Ranger and sQMRA） have shortcomings such as limited applicability and slow response in aquatic product emergencies. This study aims to develop a rapid risk ranking method specifically for pathogenic microorganisms in aquatic products.Methods An 11-parameter evaluation system was established across four dimensions： epidemiological relevance， disease severity， pathogen traits， and product characteristics. A “bioaccumulation factor” was introduced to quantify risk amplification in aquatic products. Parameters were scored 1-4， with key factors optionally weighted. Total risk scores were calculated linearly and classified into five-tiered risk levels （high， relatively high， medium， relatively low， low）， and each level was linked to specific management actions. The method was compared with Risk Ranger and sQMRA using a “Shellfish-Vibrio parahaemolyticus” case study， evaluated on decision directness， industry insight， and process transparency.Results The method assigned a risk score of 9 （relatively low risk） to Vibrio parahaemolyticus hazard in Shellfish when properly cooked， whereas the risk score for raw consumption was 27 （high risk）. Risk Ranger rated Vibrio parahaemolyticus hazard in Shellfish at a risk score of 45 （moderate risk）. sQMRA estimated an annual incidence of 0.02% （~363 240 cases）. The proposed method provided the timeliness， relevance， and transparency required for emergency decision-making.Conclusion A rapid， scenario-adaptable risk ranking method for microbial contamination in aquatic products is successfully developed， providing a methodological reference for the rapid identification and emergency assessment of microbial risks.

Abstract:Objective To systematically review the follow-up evaluation opinions on national food safety standards from 2019 to 2023， propose actionable recommendations for formulating and revising prioritized standards by identifying the core issues of concern， and thereby contribute to the advancement of China’s food safety standard system.Methods Opinion data collected from the National Food Safety Standard Follow-up Evaluation Feedback Platform from 2019 to 2023 was analyzed using data cleaning， standard-type classification analysis， and percentage stacked chart analysis. Dynamic categorical analysis was conducted on the changing trends of the follow-up evaluation opinions.Results A total of 13 901 opinions were received during 2019—2023， with 5 569 （40.1%） deemed valid， covering 378 national standards. Feedback focused on specification limits， labeling requirements， food categorization/terminology， and standard text coherence. Among valid opinions， 45.5% （2 534/5 569） provided substantive references for revisions， and 25.6% （1 426/5 569） were formally adopted.Conclusion The feedback from standard follow-up evaluations has played an effective role in improving the national food safety standard system， enhancing the standards’ applicability， scientific basis， operational feasibility， and coordination of the standards. It is recommended to strengthen the linkage between follow-up evaluations and the development of standards， deepen the analysis conducted in follow-up evaluations， strengthen the training for standard implementation， and continuously improve the level of standard implementation.

Abstract:Objective To understand the consumption status and influencing factors of cereal-based complementary foods and canned complementary foods among children under 3 years of age in 15 provinces （autonomous regions and municipalities） of China， and to provide scientific evidence for scientific feeding and healthy growth of infants and toddlers.Methods A multi-stage stratified cluster random sampling method proportional to population size was used to select 20 431 children under 3 years of age from 43 survey sites across 15 provinces （autonomous regions and municipalities） in China in 2015. Based on data from three non-consecutive 24-hour dietary recalls， parents or caregivers were interviewed to record the food consumption data of the infants and toddlers. The consumption rates and intake amounts of cereal-based complementary foods and canned complementary foods among the study subjects were analyzed. Chi-square tests and rank-sum tests were used to compare differences in consumption rates and intake amounts， while multivariate logistic regression analysis was employed to identify factors influencing the consumption of cereal-based complementary foods and canned complementary foods.Results The consumption rates of cereal-based complementary foods and canned complementary foods among children under 3 years of age were 15.0% and 1.7%， respectively. Higher consumption rates were observed in infants aged 6-11 months （37.9% for cereal-based complementary foods and 4.6% for canned complementary foods）. Infants and toddlers in large cities had higher consumption rates of both types of complementary foods. The average daily consumption of cereal-based complementary foods and canned complementary foods among children under 3 years of age was 4.3 g/d and 0.4 g/d， respectively. Infants aged 6-11 months exhibited higher average intake amounts （10.5 g/d for cereal-based complementary foods and 1.0 g/d for canned complementary foods）. Children in large cities consumed more than those in rural areas. Complementary food consumption was associated with multiple factors including father’s occupation， mother’s education level， household income， urban-rural and regional differences， with varying degrees of influence.Conclusion Infants aged 6-11 months constitute the primary consumers of both cereal-based complementary foods and canned complementary foods. Scientific knowledge about complementary feeding should be disseminated to parents or caregivers of infants and toddlers to enhance their awareness of appropriate complementary feeding and promote scientifically sound feeding practices.

Abstract:Akkermansia muciniphila （AKK） has attracted wide attention for its application prospects in the food and pharmaceutical fields as a highly promising “next-generation probiotic”. A safety assessment is therefore essential for its compliant application. This review systematically examined the differences in regulatory policies and management pathways for AKK across major global economies， with a focus on its safety assessment concerning antimicrobial resistance， virulence， and human safety. The potential safety concerns of AKK associated with colorectal tumors and other diseases in specific physiological and pathological scenarios were discussed. The key issues existing in current safety assessment of AKK were summarized. This review provides directions for future research and suggestions for regulatory optimization， and references for the scientific assessment and compliant application of AKK.