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Aflatoxin (AFL) is a naturally occurring mycotoxin produced by Aspergillus spp. and is commonly associated with peanuts (Arachis hypogaea L.), a major field legume in the Philippines. The major types of AFL are B1, B2, G1, and G2 – comprising the total aflatoxin (AFT). AFL exposure has been shown to cause both chronic and acute toxicity, with the liver as the main target organ. It is considered genotoxic and carcinogenic. The objective of this study is to establish the profile of the potential risks associated with the consumption of peanuts contaminated with aflatoxin to the Filipino consuming population. The study included [1] determination of data gaps in the risk profiling of AFL in the consumption of peanuts by the Filipino peanut-consuming population; [2] hazard identification and characterization; [3] estimation of dietary exposure (DE) and risk- based on uncertainties, variabilities, and assumptions; and [4] consolidation of available control measures and possible mitigation protocols for AFL in peanut. AFL was detected in 92% of all the peanut samples (n = 50) analyzed, with overall mean levels of 802.83 μg/kg AFT, 683.53 μg/kg AFB1, and 119.30 μg/kg AFB2 exceeding the maximum level (ML) of 15 μg/kg set by the Codex Alimentarius Commission for AFT. Considering the assumptions made and data gathered in this study, the estimated daily intakes (EDIs) of the Filipino adult (20–59 yr old) consuming population to AFT and to AFB1 in peanut – at 97.5th percentile consumption – were 1.22–6,527.18 ng/kg body weight (bw)/d and 1.22–5,574.90 ng/kg bw/d, respectively, which exceeded the recommended provisional maximum tolerable daily intake (PMTDI) of 1 ng/kg bw/d. The margins of exposure (MOE) were also generally estimated to be below 10,000, which indicates that it is a potential health concern and that it supports the need for further risk management actions.

Beta-agonists (β-agonists) are feed additives used in animal production (20–40 d before slaughter) to simultaneously reduce fat gain and increase the muscle mass of animals, but the residues may remain in the tissues of animals if the withdrawal period is not observed. This is a concern due to the potential adverse health effects to humans symptomized by increased heart rate, palpitations, vasodilation, and reflex tachycardia. This study described the potential risks associated with the consumption of pork with β-agonists to the Filipino pork-consuming population through the risk profiling process. Specifically, it consolidated the available information and determined the data gaps relevant to the risk profiling process, including available risk management options for β-agonist residues in pork. The study identified and characterized β-agonist as the hazard and pork as the concerned commodity. The risk was estimated through the evaluation of β-agonist residue concentrations in pork kidneys and pork meat from the National Veterinary Drug Residue Monitoring Program of the Philippine National Meat Inspection Service and the pork consumption data of the adult Filipino consuming population from the Department of Science and Technology–Food and Nutrition Research Institute in consideration of identified uncertainties, variabilities, and assumptions. The mean and maximum dietary exposures of the adult Filipino consuming population, with an assumed average body weight of Asian adults, to β-agonists in pork meat (0.0111 and 0.1478 μg/kg bw) and pork kidney (0.0166 and 0.4847 μg/ kg bw) were estimated to exceed 100% of the acceptable daily intake of clenbuterol (0–0.004 μg/kg bw). These results indicate that there is an appreciable risk to the health of the Filipino population when it comes to the consumption of pork contaminated with β-agonists.

Methylmercury (MeHg) is one of the most toxic forms of mercury (Hg) produced via methylation of its inorganic form from natural and anthropogenic sources. Fish that feed on phytoplankton, such as sardines, serve as the entry points of MeHg in the aquatic food web. Dietary exposure (DE) to MeHg leads to varying health risks such as ataxia, neurodevelopmental delays, and blindness in newborns and infants. The study aimed to develop a risk profile on the potential risk associated with the consumption of Philippine dried tamban (Sardinella lemuru) through 1) conceptualization of the risk profile, 2) review of related literature, 3) formulation of assumptions (i.e. identification of variabilities and establishment of uncertainties or data gaps), 4) exposure pathway assessment, and 5) risk characterization. The risk of MeHg was estimated using the total mercury (THg) concentrations in dried tamban samples collected from the major fishing grounds of sardines in the Philippines, consumption data of the adult Filipino consuming population, and the assumed average body weights of Asian adults. The estimated DEs ranged from 0.000043–0.008724 μg/kg bw (bodyweight)/wk, which is equivalent to about 0.003–0.545% of the provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) of 1.6 μg/kg bw for MeHg established by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) in 2007. Our findings imply that dried tamban does not pose a major health risk to the adult Filipino consuming population. However, it is also essential to note that aside from dried tamban, there are other potential sources of MeHg in the diet such as other fish and seafood.

In the Philippines, there is little documentation about the population size of indigenous peoples (IPs) and more so on their health and nutrition status. This study aimed to address the gap in knowledge on the IPs’ nutrition and health status in the Philippines. Analysis of secondary data collected in the 8th National Nutrition Survey (NNS) 2013 and the 2015 Updating Survey of the Nutritional Status of Filipino Children and Other Population Groups conducted by the Department of Science and Technology–Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI) was done. Face-to-face interviews, anthropometric measurements, blood extraction, urine collection, and blood pressure measurements were utilized as data collection methods. Findings illustrate that majority of the IPs belonged to the poorest and poor quintile, had low educational attainment, and were rural residents. The pervasive problem of undernutrition in the form of stunting and underweight was the most pronounced problem among children and adolescents. Overnutrition was prevalent among adults. Micronutrient deficiencies also exist in the form of anemia and iodine deficiency. There is also evidence of inadequate dietary consumption among the IPs. As evidenced by the results – compared with the non-IP individuals and households – the IP population was poorer, had a significantly higher prevalence of undernutrition and iodine deficiency, and had lower adequacy of energy and other nutrient intakes. On the other hand, the selected risk factors for non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, abdominal obesity, smoking, and alcohol consumption were more pronounced among non-IPs compared to the IPs. IPs remain a marginalized sector of society, making them highly vulnerable to the same persistent nutritional and health problems non-IPs experience. Therefore, culturally sensitive and appropriate interventions should be formulated to improve IPs’ nutrition and health status in the country.

The Fusarium fungus is known to produce fumonisin, a naturally occurring mycotoxin associated with chronic adverse health effects in animal liver and kidney, which is commonly found in corn (Zea mays L.), one of the major agricultural crops and staple foods in the Philippines. The objective of this study was to develop a profile of the potential risks associated with the consumption of corn contaminated with fumonisins B1 (FB1) and B2 (FB2). This study involved the determination of data gaps in the risk profiling process; identification, and characterization of fumonisin; estimation of the dietary exposure (DE) and risk based on identified uncertainties, variabilities, and assumptions; and determination of available risk management options for fumonisin in corn. Fumonisin levels of corn samples (n = 77) were all below the 4000 μg/kg maximum level (ML) set in the 2019 edition of the Codex General Standard for Contaminants and Toxins in Foods (Codex GSCTFF) for raw corn grains. At the 97.5th percentile consumption of corn [yellow, white, green (or sweet) corn; edible portions (corn kernels)], the calculated DE estimates of the Filipino adult (20–59 yr old) exceeded the provisional maximum tolerable daily intake (PMTDI) of 2 μg/kg bw (body weight)/d by 420.17% (maximum FB1), 194.30% (maximum FB2), and 189.81% (overall FB1 mean). Considering the assumptions made and the gathered data in this study, the estimated DE to fumonisin in corn showed an appreciable risk to health. The current ML of fumonisin in corn and corn products adopted from Codex GSCTFF may be in need to be revisited to ensure the protection of the adult Filipino consuming population.

Soy sauce is one of the commonly consumed food items in the Philippines because of its vast applications as a regular sauce and a condiment in various food dishes. One method used to produce soy sauce is chemical hydrolysis that involves acid hydrolysis of vegetable protein under high temperatures, which may generate a chemical by-product called 3-monochloropropane-1,2-diol (3-MCPD). Exposure to 3-MCPD may potentially cause adverse health effects to humans such as kidney, liver, and reproductive organ failure, as well as infertility and carcinogenicity. Thus, this study aimed to establish a profile on the potential risk associated with the consumption of soy sauce with 3-MCPD in the Philippines. This study included risk profile conceptualization, literature review, and identification of uncertainties and variabilities to formulate assumptions, which were then used in the dietary exposure (DE) assessment and estimation of risk of the adult Filipino consuming population to 3-MCPD in soy sauce. Analysis showed that the soy sauce samples (n = 19) collected from identified supermarkets and wet markets in the Philippines contained 3-MCPD levels below the maximum level (ML) of 0.4 mg/kg set by the 2019 edition of the Codex General Standards for Contaminants and Toxins in Food and Feed. With these generated data on the hazard levels, the high consumer (97.5th) percentile soy sauce consumption data from the Philippine Department of Science and Technology–Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI), and the assumed body weight of an adult Asian, the DE of the adult Filipino consuming population to 3-MCPD in soy sauce was estimated to be 0.0327–0.1636 µg/kg body weight (bw)/d, which was lower than 4 µg/kg bw – the latest provisional maximum tolerable daily intake (PMTDI) set by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) in 2016. Based on these findings, the consumption of soy sauce showed no appreciable risk to the health of the Filipino consuming population.

Background In response to the global target for reduction in salt intake, several countries have implemented population sodium reduction strategies. These strategies include identification of major sources of sodium in the diet and reformulation of a set number of products available on the market. This study aimed to identify processed foods that can be targeted for reformulation and whose sodium content can be monitored over time in order to reduce sodium intake in the Philippines. The objectives were to: 1) Estimate per capita sodium intake from minimally processed and processed food groups by income quintile and urban/rural location; 2) Identify foods that contribute to the variance in per capita sodium intake that can be used as indicators for monitoring the sodium content of Philippine processed foods. One-day household food weighing data covering 4880 households from the 2008 National Nutrition Survey was used. Per capita sodium consumption from processed and minimally processed food categories and percentiles of sodium intake from these categories by income quintile and urban/rural location were obtained. The percentage contribution of different food categories to mean per capita sodium intake was calculated. Specific foods that contributed to the variance in sodium intake among Filipinos were identified. Results Foods which significantly accounted for 99.4% of the variance in sodium intake were 13 types of processed foods and 2 types of minimally processed foods. The category Processed Soup, Sauces, and Flavor Enhancers contributed the greatest proportion to per capita sodium intake. Specific processed foods that contributed to the variance in per capita sodium intake were instant noodles, traditional fermented condiments and sauces, dried and processed meat, fish, and poultry products, salted eggs, white bread and pan de sal (a traditional Filipino bread), wheat and egg noodles, crispy cereal chips and extruded snacks, butter and margarine, cheese, and chocolate-based beverages. Conclusion Identifying processed foods that significantly contribute to sodium intake, followed by reformulating and monitoring the sodium content of these foods over time should be considered as one strategy to reduce sodium intake in the Philippines.

Author(s): Oxley, Anthony; Engle-Stone, Reina; Miller, Jody C; Reario, MF Dolly; Stormer, Ame; Capanzana, Mario V; Cabanilla, Carl VD; Haskell, Marjorie J; Lietz, Georg | Abstract: BackgroundThe retinol isotope dilution (RID) method has been used to evaluate vitamin A (VA) status in healthy adults and children in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) and to assess the efficacy of various VA interventions.ObjectiveThe study was designed to examine whether dried serum spots (DSS) can be applied to RID when conducting VA total body store (TBS) assessments in community settings.MethodsFour days after an oral dose of 0.4nmg [13C10]retinyl acetate was administered to Filipino children (12-18nmo), a single blood draw was divided to isolate both serum and plasma. Serum (40 μL) was spotted and dried on Whatman 903 cards and shipped at ambient temperature whereas liquid plasma (LP) was frozen at -80°C and shipped on dry ice. The VA tracer to tracee ratio from DSS and LP was quantified by LC-MS/MS. Comparisons between DSS and LP paired samples (nn=n72) were made for [13C10]retinol specific activity (SAp) by Pearson's correlation and for VA TBS by Bland-Altman analysis.ResultsThe sum of 3 coextracted DSS were required to consistently detect [13C10]retinol above the LC-MS/MS limit of quantitation (LOQ). [13C10]retinol SAp from DSS was highly correlated with SAp from LP (rn=n0.945; P ln0.01). A comparison of methods for TBS determination using Bland-Altman analysis indicated agreement with an intraindividual difference of 24.7nμmol (4.6%). Mean total liver reserve (TLR) values from DSS and LP were 1.7nμmol/g (± 0.6 SD) and 1.6nμmol/g (± 0.6 SD), respectively.ConclusionsVA TBS can be determined from DSS thereby reducing the logistics and cost of maintaining a cold chain by shipping samples at ambient temperature and, thus, making the RID technique more feasible in LMIC community settings. This trial was registered at https://clinicaltrials.gov as NCT03030339.

The project aimed to reduce the prevalence of malnutrition among 6–35-mo-old children, and to determine the implementation of intervention strategy through process evaluation in a disaster area affected by super typhoon "Yolanda". The effects of the intervention on the nutritional status and food intake of children-participants, as well as the nutrition knowledge of their mothers and caregivers in disaster-stricken areas, were determined. The project covered 344 underweight and normal weight-for-age infants and young children 6–35-moold in four barangays each in Jaro, Leyte and Basey, Samar, Philippines. The planning, organizing, implementation, monitoring, and process evaluation phases of implementing a nutrition intervention were documented. Weights and heights/lengths of children and food intake were taken before and after the intervention. The children-participants were fed for 4 mo with complementary foods, while their mothers/caregivers were taught about health and nutrition concepts. A significant increase in the mean weight and height/length of childrenparticipants after 120 feeding days and the improvement in the energy and protein intakes of the children were observed. However, these increases had no significant impact on the overall nutritional status of children living in a disaster area. Likewise, a significant increase in the mean knowledge scores of their mothers/caregivers on breastfeeding and food safety at endline (p < 0.001) was noted. The implementation was closely monitored following some guidelines and its feasibility in a disaster situation. The intervention strategy provided an option of doing nutritional assessment and implementing a food-based and education intervention for mother and child during the rehabilitation phase of a disaster.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to develop and validate a tool to estimate vitamin A (VA) intake and identify children at risk of intake above the tolerable upper intake level (UL). METHODS: We developed, pilot-tested, and refined a screening tool to estimate VA intake among Filipino children 12–18 mo of age. Data were entered into tablets with pre-loaded food composition data to calculate VA intake immediately. The screening tool was used to identify children likely to have “adequate” (one group: 200–500 µg retinol activity equivalents, RAE/d) or “high” (two groups: >600 µg retinol/d) intake. Interviewers administered four 24-h recalls, one 12-h observed weighed record with 12-h recall, and a 30-d supplement questionnaire. Breastmilk intake and VA concentration were measured among breastfeeding children. We compared the screening tool and detailed dietary assessment (DDA) results for primary VA sources, group mean usual intake, and prevalence of intakes above the UL. RESULTS: Major VA sources were similar between methods: fortified milk powders, multivitamin supplements, and breastmilk; contributions from intervention programs (e.g., micronutrient powders, fortified staple foods) were low. Mean usual retinol intakes for the high groups (n = 47 and 39, respectively) were 1218 and 1313 µg/d by screening tool vs. 1096 and 931 by DDA; 70 and 77% had usual intake above 600 µg/d. In the adequate group (n = 37), mean total VA intake was 375 and 559 µg RAE/d by screening and DDA, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This screening tool provides a reasonably good rapid estimate of VA intake among Filipino children and can be useful for identifying groups with adequate to excessive intakes. FUNDING SOURCES: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

OBJECTIVES: The retinol isotope dilution method has been successfully applied to assess the efficacy of VA interventions in low and middle-income countries. However, the current method is limited in its applicability because it relies on keeping serum samples in the cold chain. To overcome that limitation, we assessed the feasibility of using DSS for assessing TBS in Filipino children 12–18 months of age. METHODS: Serum (40 µL) from Filipino children, who had received an oral dose of [,(13)C(10)]-retinyl acetate was spotted and dried on Whatman 903 cards then stored at −20°C before shipment at room temperature; aliquots of liquid serum were kept frozen at −80°C until analysis. DSS and liquid serum were extracted by established methods and then analysed by LC-MS/MS to quantify the [,(13)C]/[,(12)C] retinol ratio and TBS. RESULTS: Mean ± SD TBS of 57 Filipino infants aged 12–18 mo were 507.6 ± 185.8 µmol and 495.5 ± 170.1 µmol from either serum or DSS samples, respectively. Comparison of methods using Bland-Altman analysis indicated agreement between both methods with an intra-individual mean difference for TBS of 22.1 µmol (4.5%). CONCLUSIONS: TBS can be determined using serum spot samples in field settings, thus reducing the costs and limitations of shipping serum samples on dry ice and reducing the need for −80C storage in field stations. FUNDING SOURCES: Medical Research Council UK; Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

This study aims to optimize the processing parameters of combined moist- and dry-heat treatment to stabilize brown rice. The processing parameters including moist-heat treatment (MHT) time, dry-heat treatment (DHT) temperature, and DHT time were modeled using the Box-Behnken design. The optimum processing condition was verified by actual experimental runs and shelf-life study. The responses evaluated were free fatty acid (FFA) content, peroxide value (PV), and sensory properties of brown rice samples. The results showed that all processing parameters significantly affected the FFA content. MHT time has a significant effect on PV and off-odor, while DHT time affected the acceptability of texture and taste of brown rice. Some interaction effects among the processing parameters were also found significant. The optimum processing parameters were 75 min MHT time, 65 °C DHT temperature, and 70 min DHT time. The actual values of responses from actual experimental runs were in close agreement with the predicted values of the models. Treated brown rice samples have significantly lower FFA than control samples during storage. Decreased sensory acceptability of odor of treated brown rice samples was observed during longer storage time.