Arsenic contamination in food chain - a menace to food safety, human nutrition and health

The metalloid arsenic is one of the persistent toxic elements that has affected a vast population of human being across the globe. Its lethal and unsafe levels in drinking water have been witnessed by more than 100 million people in the South and South-east Asia alone. Literatures suggest that contaminated groundwater is the potential source for arsenicosis. Widespread arsenic contamination in surface water, soil and sediments-either of geogenic or anthropogenic origin-has resulted in presence of this carcinogenic pollutant in plant and animal produce such as rice, vegetables, milk, meat, fish, etc. Further, the arsenic mediated stress to all living organisms is of great concem. Thus, the entire biome is under massive threat of arsenic. The extent and severity of arsenic contamination in human diet has challenged the safety aspect of human nutrition and health. The chronic arsenicism in human is of greater concern and demands immediate implementation of mitigative measures. The risk of arsenic toxicity through water as well as food and possible way-out have been discussed in this review.