Human Exposure to Arsenic and Toxic Metals Through Meat Consumption in Africa: A Review of the Scientific Literature

While meat consumption is decreasing in high-income countries, significant increases are observed elsewhere. Although this includes African nations, average meat consumption is generally lower in Africa than in other continents. Meat provides essential nutrients, but inadequate consumption can lead to health problems, with exposure to environmental contaminants being a concern. This review focuses on recent scientific literature regarding human exposure to toxic metals/metalloids through meat consumption in Africa, particularly non-essential elements like As, Cd, Hg, and Pb, as well as Cr(VI) and Ni. PubMed and Scopus databases indicate limited information on this topic in Africa, primarily from Nigeria. Concentrations of toxic metals/metalloids in meat, and estimated intakes, vary significantly. Similar to organic and inorganic pollutants in other continents, meat is not the primary contributor to human dietary exposure to toxic trace elements in African countries.