Identification of contaminants of emerging concern in novel foods for human consumption

With a continuously growing world population, novel alternative protein sources (such as edible insects, seaweed and plant-based proteins) with high nutritional value are becoming increasingly important and will be a crucial factor in the global food system[1]. They are considered healthy and sustainable alternatives to common livestock products, due to their nutritional value and reduced use of resources[2]. However, data on their chemical food safety is still scarce. With their increasing popularity and consumption it is crucial to investigate their chemical contamination to accurately assess the risk, safety and potential of different alternative protein sources.