Heavy metal contamination and food safety — Emerging paradigms from a bibliometric analysis of six decades of research —

A bibliometric analysis of articles published between 1963 and 2022 elucidated the trajectory of heavy metal contamination as a subject in food safety research. China emerged as the leading contributor, with significant publications addressing heavy metals’ multifaceted impact on food safety. Top author keywords over six decades underscored the concern about specific metals, particularly cadmium, and their accumulation in food sources. The prominence of terms like ‘biomaterials’ and ‘biosensor’ showcased the shift towards innovative detection and mitigation techniques. Three primary clusters of research were identified: soil contamination, heavy metals in various foods and advanced detection techniques. This analysis offers vital insights, identifying prevalent themes and prospective directions for future research efforts.