Pet food safety at risk? Investigating toxic metal contamination in Lebanon and the UAE

Abstract

Our study investigates the presence of toxic metals in pet food stock keeping units (SKUs) marketed in Lebanon (n = 75) and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) (n = 121) using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). The study quantified nine metals: chromium (Cr), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), arsenic (As), molybdenum (Mo), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), and lead (Pb). Dry pet food exhibited higher concentrations compared to wet pet food, particularly for Cu (30.302 mg kg⁻¹ vs. 4.861 mg kg⁻¹, p < 0.001), Zn (350.223 mg kg⁻¹ vs. 35.965 mg kg⁻¹, p < 0.001), and Pb (0.981 mg kg⁻¹ vs. 0.421 mg kg⁻¹, p < 0.039). This suggests that moisture content affects metal retention. Notably, Cd concentrations were higher in wet food (0.296 mg kg⁻¹ vs. 0.102 mg kg⁻¹, p < 0.045), indicating differential metal solubility and retention mechanisms. Cat food samples contained higher Cd levels than dog food (0.251 mg kg⁻¹ vs. 0.112 mg kg⁻¹), whereas Zn and Cu concentrations were significantly higher in dog food. Pb and As exceeded safety thresholds, raising concerns about contamination sources and health risks for pets. These findings highlight the need for stringent monitoring of toxic metals in pet food and further research into contamination sources and their potential health impacts for pets.