Risk assessment of phthalate ester exposure from various cheese types produced and consumed in Saudi Arabia

Abstract This study aimed to assess the risk of phthalate ester exposure from locally produced cheese consumed by adults in Jeddah City, Saudi Arabia. A total of 435 adult participants completed an online questionnaire regarding their socio-demographic characteristics and cheese consumption patterns...

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Main Authors: Haneen H. Moumniah, Maha A. Althaiban, Rowida K. Allily
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-04-01
Series:Scientific Reports
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-00051-0
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author Haneen H. Moumniah
Maha A. Althaiban
Rowida K. Allily
author_facet Haneen H. Moumniah
Maha A. Althaiban
Rowida K. Allily
author_sort Haneen H. Moumniah
collection DOAJ
description Abstract This study aimed to assess the risk of phthalate ester exposure from locally produced cheese consumed by adults in Jeddah City, Saudi Arabia. A total of 435 adult participants completed an online questionnaire regarding their socio-demographic characteristics and cheese consumption patterns. Phthalate levels were analyzed using indirect gas chromatography in six types of local cheeses at three time points: immediately upon purchase, and one and two months after storage. The exposure dose was calculated by multiplying the concentration of the contaminant by the contact rate, and the exposure factor. This product was then divided by the body weight of the individual. The obtained results indicate that females, individuals aged 40–49, and those with a monthly income below 7750 Saudi Riyals (SAR) had significantly higher mean exposures to phthalates compared to other groups. A significant increase (p < 0.05) in total phthalate exposure was noted with longer storage times for most subgroups, except for non-Saudi participants, those aged 18–29, individuals with a secondary school education, and those earning below 7750 SAR. Overall, this study highlights specific vulnerabilities to phthalate exposure related to demographic factors and emphasizes the need for increased awareness and monitoring of phthalate levels in commonly consumed foods.
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spelling doaj-art-a7def3a9fc1442e99f3c0ebf7bd5113e2025-08-20T02:10:50ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-04-011511810.1038/s41598-025-00051-0Risk assessment of phthalate ester exposure from various cheese types produced and consumed in Saudi ArabiaHaneen H. Moumniah0Maha A. Althaiban1Rowida K. Allily2Food and Nutrition Department, Human Sciences and Design Faculty, King Abdulaziz UniversityFood and Nutrition Department, Human Sciences and Design Faculty, King Abdulaziz UniversityFood and Nutrition Department, Human Sciences and Design Faculty, King Abdulaziz UniversityAbstract This study aimed to assess the risk of phthalate ester exposure from locally produced cheese consumed by adults in Jeddah City, Saudi Arabia. A total of 435 adult participants completed an online questionnaire regarding their socio-demographic characteristics and cheese consumption patterns. Phthalate levels were analyzed using indirect gas chromatography in six types of local cheeses at three time points: immediately upon purchase, and one and two months after storage. The exposure dose was calculated by multiplying the concentration of the contaminant by the contact rate, and the exposure factor. This product was then divided by the body weight of the individual. The obtained results indicate that females, individuals aged 40–49, and those with a monthly income below 7750 Saudi Riyals (SAR) had significantly higher mean exposures to phthalates compared to other groups. A significant increase (p < 0.05) in total phthalate exposure was noted with longer storage times for most subgroups, except for non-Saudi participants, those aged 18–29, individuals with a secondary school education, and those earning below 7750 SAR. Overall, this study highlights specific vulnerabilities to phthalate exposure related to demographic factors and emphasizes the need for increased awareness and monitoring of phthalate levels in commonly consumed foods.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-00051-0PhthalatesCheeseRisk assessmentAdultsSaudi Arabia
spellingShingle Haneen H. Moumniah
Maha A. Althaiban
Rowida K. Allily
Risk assessment of phthalate ester exposure from various cheese types produced and consumed in Saudi Arabia
Scientific Reports
Phthalates
Cheese
Risk assessment
Adults
Saudi Arabia
title Risk assessment of phthalate ester exposure from various cheese types produced and consumed in Saudi Arabia
title_full Risk assessment of phthalate ester exposure from various cheese types produced and consumed in Saudi Arabia
title_fullStr Risk assessment of phthalate ester exposure from various cheese types produced and consumed in Saudi Arabia
title_full_unstemmed Risk assessment of phthalate ester exposure from various cheese types produced and consumed in Saudi Arabia
title_short Risk assessment of phthalate ester exposure from various cheese types produced and consumed in Saudi Arabia
title_sort risk assessment of phthalate ester exposure from various cheese types produced and consumed in saudi arabia
topic Phthalates
Cheese
Risk assessment
Adults
Saudi Arabia
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-00051-0
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AT mahaaalthaiban riskassessmentofphthalateesterexposurefromvariouscheesetypesproducedandconsumedinsaudiarabia
AT rowidakallily riskassessmentofphthalateesterexposurefromvariouscheesetypesproducedandconsumedinsaudiarabia