Food safety issues induced by pesticide residues pose multiple threats to public health, ecological balance and international trade. In this context, the development of novel analytical technologies featuring rapid response, high sensitivity and on-site applicability has become an urgent requirement in food safety detection. Electrochemical biosensors have demonstrated significant potential in pesticide residue detection due to their unique analytical advantages. Particularly, high performance sensing interfaces constructed with nanomaterials show remarkable improvements in sensor sensitivity, selectivity and stability through their high specific surface area, excellent catalytic activity, and superior electrical conductivity. This paper reviewed the working principle of electrochemical biosensors, focused on discussing the application of nanomaterials in constructing different types of electrochemical biosensors for pesticide residue detection, and looked forward to the future technological development, providing theoretical support and research directions for building a precise and efficient pesticide residue detection system.

Objective To develop a rapid and sensitive detection technology for pathogenic microorganisms in food packaging based on the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) and CRISPR-associated protein 13a (Cas13a) system. Methods The method leveraged the specific recognition and signal amplification characteristics of the CRISPR-Cas13a technology. Multiple guide RNAs were designed to target different sites on pathogenic RNA, enabling a single RNA molecule to activate multiple Cas13a enzymes simultaneously. This cascade triggered trans-cleavage of RNA reporter molecules in the reaction mixture, generating a detectable fluorescent signal. The tandem design synergistically enhanced signal amplification efficiency, thereby improving detection sensitivity. Results The limits of detection of this method for pathogenic and RNA were 800 copies/mL and 18.7 pmol/L, respectively, and the detection could be completed in a short time, accurately distinguishing different pathogens. Testing food packaging samples contaminated with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pseudvirus showed recovery rates ranging from 89.71% to 102.56%. Conclusion This study presents a rapid, cost-effective and easy-to-operate method for detecting pathogenic microbial contamination on food packaging surfaces, indicating high accuracy, offering potential application value for monitoring microbial risks in foodborne transmission pathways.

Objective To construct a novel fluorescent aptamer sensor based on MXene nanomaterials by combining X-type DNA with aptamers for the simultaneous detection of Pb²⁺ and Cd²⁺ in food. Methods X-type DNA structures were prepared by complementary base pairing, and in the presence of Pb²⁺ and Cd²⁺, the aptamer within the X-type DNA structure specifically bound to the target ions and triggers desorption from the MXene surface, thereby restoring the fluorescent signal. Results Under the optimal experimental conditions, the fluorescence signal intensity was linearly correlated with Pb²⁺ and Cd²⁺ in the range of 0.5-500.0 nmol/L, with the limits of detection were 0.33 nmol/L and 0.28 nmol/L, respectively, and the results showed that the sensor had good working performance. Conclusion The fluorescent biosensor prepared in this study has been successfully applied to the spiked analysis of tap water and cornmeal with good recoveries, indicating that it can be used as an effective tool for the detection of Pb²⁺ and Cd²⁺ in food.

Objective To construct a carbon nanotube-poly(neutral red) modified electrode for the competitive electrochemical rapid detection of putrescine in Procambarus clarkii samples. Methods Putrescine was selected as a freshness indicator for Procambarus clarkii. A carbon nanotube-poly(neutral red) modified electrode was designed for putrescine detection. The relationship between the electrochemical behavior of the electrode and the concentration of putrescine was explored, and its application in electrochemical sensing of putrescine was investigated. After optimizing factors such as scan rate and electrolyte pH, the putrescine content in Procambarus clarkii was determined. Recovery experiments were conducted, and the results were compared with high performance liquid chromatography. Results The carbon nanotube-poly(neutral red) modified electrode exhibited a significant electrochemical inhibition effect towards putrescine, with a notable inverse relationship between the concentration of putrescine and the peak current of the electrode. The linear range was described by the equation ΔI=3.8ln[c_(PUT)]+8.3, with a correlation coefficient of r=0.99. When applied to the detection of putrescine in crayfish samples, the results obtained by this method were highly consistent with those obtained by the high performance liquid chromatography. Conclusion The method can be employed for the detection of putrescine concentration in Procambarus clarkii and serves as a biosensor for putrescine, a freshness indicator of Procambarus clarkii.

Objective To establish a rapid colorimetric method for the detection of histamine in fish samples based on the oxidase activity of Ag₃PO₄ nanozyme. Methods Ag₃PO₄ nanoparticles were prepared by the hydrothermal method. Utilizing their oxidase catalytic activity, with CH₃COONa as the buffer system and 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine as the oxidation substrate, a rapid colorimetric detection method for histamine in fish was established. Results The detection time of this method was about 100 seconds. The limit of detection was 0.58 mg/L, indicating high detection sensitivity. In the detection of multiple competitive targets, this method showed good specificity for histamine molecules. In the spiked experiments on actual samples, the spiked recovery rate of this method ranged from 104.24% to 108.30%, and the relative standard deviations were from 1.81% to 3.44%, which had good detection accuracy. Conclusion This method demonstrates the advantages of being intuitive, rapid, highly sensitive and having good specificity. It can adapt to the complex daily detection environment and provides a new idea for the detection of histamine in fish meat.

In the face of global population growth and agricultural production pressure, as well as the serious challenges of agricultural product quality and safety issues, the traditional methods of agricultural product integrity monitoring and risk prediction have become insufficient. The rapid development of machine learning technology provides new solution ideas for agricultural product integrity monitoring and risk prediction. This paper systematically summarized the applications of machine learning technology in agricultural product safety risk monitoring (including physical, chemical and biological risks), agricultural product authenticity and traceability assurance, and agricultural product risk assessment prediction based on historical data. Machine learning technology undoubtedly improves the efficiency of agricultural product integrity monitoring effectively, realizes early detection and prevention of risks, and provides new solution for constructing a safer and more reliable food supply chain provides new solutions. Although these applications show great promise, there are still challenges to artificial intelligence in the field of agricultural produce integrity monitoring and risk prediction. Based on summarizing the literature, this paper further explored the prospects and directions of this trend, and presented the importance of machine learning model interpretability and trust issues, as well as problems in data acquisition and use, to improve the application of machine learning in agricultural product integrity monitoring and risk prediction.

Against the backdrop of the continuous expansion of the global dried fruit market, China, as a major producing country, faces food quality control and international trade barriers caused by imperfect standard systems. This study was based on a systematic review of 11 international and domestic standards for dried fruit products, compared and analyzed the differences in key quality indicators such as sensory evaluation, moisture content, total acidity, total sugar, ash content and impurities. The study found that although China's current standards were stricter than international standards in terms of total acidity, total sugar, and impurity limits, there were prominent issues such as a chaotic grading system for sensory indicators, lack of consistency in moisture threshold values (e.g., the domestic standard moisture limit for raisins was 15 g/100 g to 20 g/100 g), and significant differences in total sugar limits (e.g., different standards for dried dates require total sugar levels ranging from 60% to 75%). Additionally, some indicators (such as the moisture limit for dried peaches at 30 g/100 g) were lower than international standards (ISO 7703:1995 limit less than or equal to 20%). This study recommends: Adopted a dual-track optimization approach of “integrating domestic standard systems+breaking through international standard strategies”, accelerated the formulation and implementation of national standards for dried fruit food safety to strengthen supervision, systematically revise industry standards to eliminate indicator conflicts, and take the lead in developing international standards for specialty products, thereby comprehensively enhancing the quality competitiveness of China's dried fruit industry and its voice in international standard setting.

Objective To analyze the food safety issues and risk existing in the food safety supervision and sampling inspection data of Jiangsu Province from 2021 to 2023. Methods By summarizing the sampling data of food safety supervision in Jiangsu Province from 2021 to 2023, a comprehensive analysis was carried out from multiple dimensions including unqualified rates, food categories and unqualified items. Results In the past 3 years from 2021 to 2023, a total of 129665 food were sampled in Jiangsu Province, and the overall unqualified rate was 1.87%. From the unqualified sampling batches perspective, edible agricultural products recorded the highest number of sampled batches (917 batches) and the highest unqualified rate (39%), followed by catering foods with 446 sampled batches and a 19% non-compliance rate. The main problems included excessive residues of pesticides and veterinary drugs, substandard quality indicators and microbial pollution, with a total of 71.8% of unqualified samples. Excessive pesticide residues were predominantly identified in ginger (73 batches of thiacloprid) and Chinese chives (54 batches of procymidone). Excessive veterinary drug residues were primarily characterized by enrofloxacin contamination, mainly detected in bream, crucian carp, swamp eel, giant river prawns and other aquatic products. The main issue of non-compliance with substandard quality indicators was principally manifested through elevated peroxide values and acid values in roasted nuts and nut products, as well as pastries. Microbial contamination was concentrated in catering foods (195 batches of coliform bacteria) and pastries (89 batches of total bacterial count). Conclusion Food safety risks in Jiangsu Province show a trend of category concentration. Attention should be paid to edible agricultural products, catering foods, pastries, fried foods and nut products, as well as agricultural and veterinary drug residues, substandard quality indicators and microbial contamination, etc. It is suggested to improve regulatory measures from the aspects of source control, food hygiene management, sampling program optimization and social co-governance to reduce food safety risks.

Objective To investigate the content of 16 kinds of rare earth elements in commercial vegetables and evaluate the health risks caused by the intake of rare earth elements in vegetables for users in Gansu Province. Methods Samples from 6 categories were collected from 13 areas in Gansu Province, and the content of the 16 kinds of rare earth elements were measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. According to the health risk analysis method recommended by United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), the allowable daily intake (ADI) was used to assess the health risk of rare earth elements in commercial vegetables. Results The earth elements of vegetables sold in Gansu were mainly Sc, Y, Ce, La, Nd, Pr, with detection rate exceeds 50%, the total content of rare earth elements in the 6 types of vegetables was 0.1764 mg/kg, ranked from high to low as follows: Melon and fruit vegetables>leafy vegetables>stem vegetables>solanaceous fruit vegetables>root vegetables>bean vegetables. There were no significant differences in the content of rare earth elements among different vegetable categories (P>0.05), but significant differences were observed among vegetables from different areas (P<0.05). The health risks posed by the 16 kinds of rare earth elements varied among different population groups, with adult males and females exhibiting higher risks than children. The daily intake of rare earth elements through vegetable consumption was 0.0025 mg/(kg d), which was below the reference value of 0.07 mg/(kg d). Conclusion The content of rare earth elements in commercial vegetables in Gansu Province is low. The intake of rare earth elements through vegetables by residents will not pose a risk to human health.

Objective To investigate the distribution of 26 kinds of metal elements (Pb, Cd, Hg, As, Cr, Al, Mn, Cu, Ba, V, Se, Sb, Ni, Sn, Li, B, Zn, K, Na, Ca, Mg, Fe, Sr, Mo, Co, Rb) and assess the dietary risk with cereals in Handan City. Methods A total of 51 cereal samples (wheat and maize) were analyzed for 26 kinds of metal elements using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Statistical analysis was performed on the detection results, and nutritional and exposure risk assessments were conducted for macro- and trace elements using the individual pollution index, target hazard quotient, carcinogenic risk, and estimated daily intake. Results The method demonstrated good linearity, high accuracy, and sensitivity. Among the 26 kinds of metal elements, 24 kinds of metal elements were detected in the cereal samples, except for Hg and Li. Principal component analysis and correlation analysis revealed interspecies differences between wheat and maize, as well as distinct correlations among different elements. The contamination levels of 5 kinds of heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Hg, As, Cr) were within safe limits. The target hazard index of 19 kinds of metal elements and the carcinogenic risk index for Pb were significantly below threshold levels, indicating no health risks, but the carcinogenic risk assessment for As suggested potential health risks. Nutritional assessment showed that the cereals were rich in K and Mg, but low in Na. However, Cr exposure reached nearly 300% of the adequate daily intake, indicating a significant health concern. Conclusion The established method is effective for multi-element analysis in cereals. This research findings provide updated dietary intake assessment of multi-elements of Handan adult consumers. The dietary assessment indicates that intake of cereals in Handan City poses no significant health risks, but particular attention should be paid to Cr and As contamination.