Cadmium, lead, mercury and arsenic in fresh vegetables and vegetable products intended for human consumption in the Republic of Serbia, 2015-2017.

The concentrations of cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg) and arsenic (As) were determined in 455 samples of 27 species of vegetables and 28 different processed vegetables collected during the period from January 2015 to December 2017. Vegetables (n = 387) and vegetable products (n = 68) originated from 31 countries, including Serbia. The samples were analysed by inductively coupled plasma - optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES).

Cadmium, lead, mercury, and arsenic in fresh fruits and fruit products intended for human consumption in the Republic of Serbia, 2015-2017.

The European Commission has established legislation for toxic metals in certain foodstuffs in order to protect public health already in 1993. After several amendments, new maximum levels for cadmium and lead in certain foods were set as per 30 and 31 August 2021 for lead and cadmium, respectively. The new Serbian Regulation on "maximum levels of certain contaminants in food" is fully harmonised with this European legislation.

Assessment of safety aspect and probiotic potential of autochthonous Enterococcus faecium strains isolated from spontaneous fermented sausage.

Objective: The objectives of this research project were isolation, identification, and evaluation of the safety aspect and probiotics properties of 21 Enterococcus faecium strains isolated from sausages originated from southeastern Serbia.

Results: Analyzed E. faecium isolates showed tolerance to simulated gastrointestinal conditions.