Study · Food additives & contaminants. Part B, Surveillance · 2025Abstract only

Natamycin and potassium sorbate levels in Iraqi doogh

What it found

In doogh samples from Sulaymaniyah, natamycin and potassium sorbate were found at levels within international standards.

The authors say these levels do not pose a health risk to Iraqi consumers.

What they found

Preservative levels found

Potassium sorbate levels in the doogh ranged from less than 0.015 to 8.3 mg/L. Natamycin levels ranged from 1.4 to 11.5 mg/L.

Within international standards

The levels of these preservatives in the doogh samples were within international standards.

Daily intake below limit

The estimated daily intake of potassium sorbate and natamycin from doogh was below the acceptable daily intake.

Hazard quotient

The hazard quotient for potassium sorbate in doogh was below 1.

What the authors conclude

“Based on these findings, the obtained levels of preservatives in doogh do not pose a health risk to Iraqi consumers.”
Muhammad Abdulla S, Aslani R, Zarghi MH, Sadighara P, Fathabad AE, 2025

Also in their conclusions

  • They conclude that the levels of preservatives found in doogh do not pose a health risk to Iraqi consumers.

How it was done

The authors wanted to check the levels of sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate and natamycin in doogh and assess any health risks for people who drink it.

They collected doogh samples in winter and summer in Sulaymaniyah, Kurdistan region of Iraq, and measured the preservative levels using high-performance liquid chromatography with UV detection. They then used Monte Carlo simulations to assess human health risks.

What it can’t tell you

  • We summarised it from the abstract only.
  • This study measured preservative levels in doogh samples and estimated intake. It did not follow people over time to see if any health effects occur.

The paper

Title
Sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate, and natamycin levels in doogh from Sulaymaniyah, Kurdistan region of Iraq and health risk assessment
Type
Study
Summarised from
Abstract only
Cite
Muhammad Abdulla S, Aslani R, Zarghi MH, Sadighara P, Fathabad AE (2025). Sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate, and natamycin levels in doogh from Sulaymaniyah, Kurdistan region of Iraq and health risk assessment. Food additives & contaminants. Part B, Surveillance. doi:10.1080/19393210.2025.2478422PubMed 40116763DOI

Summary written 26 Sep 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error