Heavy Metal Toxicity in Palms (Phoenix dactylifera L.): A Significant Hazard in the Context of Consumption and Strategies for Mitigation

Abstract

Palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) fruit is a nutritious food source that can also contain heavy metals, which can be harmful to human health. Heavy metals can enter the food chain through natural sources or through human activities such as mining, industrial activities, and the use of pesticides and fertilizers. Exposure to heavy metals can cause significant health effects, including damage to organs such as the liver, kidneys, and brain. To reduce the risk of heavy metal contamination in palm fruit, it is important to use sustainable farming practices, proper waste management techniques, and appropriate equipment and materials for processing and packaging. Regulatory agencies have established guidelines and regulations for heavy metals in food, and it is important for food producers and manufacturers to comply with these regulations to protect public health.