Sixty dried agricultural products were collected from February to July 2024. Among these, 16 samples were randomly purchased from large supermarkets and local markets in Gwangju, and 44 were obtained from online marketplaces. Only products labeled with phrases such as “No Food Additives” or “100% Raw Ingredients” were selected for analysis. The aims of this study were to determine the concentrations of sulfur dioxide, preservatives, artificial colorants, and toxic heavy metals (lead and cadmium) in dried agricultural products, assess their risk indices, and provide foundational data to establish relevant regulatory standards. The results revealed that sulfite compounds were detected in some samples, with the highest sulfur dioxide concentrations found in gourds (82.99- 1046.95 mg/kg), apricots (10.87-529.45 mg/kg), and konjac powder (23.59-475.92 mg/kg). The highest sulfur dioxide risk index was observed in persimmons, with values ranging from 4.74% to 16.61% for male and 6.26% to 26.84% for female consumers. Sweet potatoes followed, with risk index values of 6.87% and 11.29% for male and female consumers, respectively. All the samples exhibited sulfur dioxide risk indexes below 100%, indicating safety. No preservatives or artificial colorants were detected in any of the samples, suggesting that sulfites can be used as alternatives to preservatives in certain products. The concentrations of lead in dates (9.55-137.09 μg/kg) and gourds (10.76-49.14 μg/kg) and cadmium in gourds (16.36-51.76 μg/kg) were within safe limits, with risk indexes below 100%. This study provides crucial baseline data for evaluating the safety of dried agricultural products. Furthermore, it underscores the need for more comprehensive risk assessments that consider the interactions between sulfur dioxide, heavy metals, and consumption patterns. Lastly, it highlights the necessity of strengthening regulatory standards to better protect consumers.

ABSTRACT
Materials and Methods
    대상시료
    시료의 전처리
    이산화황
    보존료
    타르색소
    유해중금속
    검출한계 및 정량한계
    위해성 평가
Results and Discussion
    건조 농산물의 이산화황 함량
    건조 농산물의 보존료 및 타르색소 함량
    건조 농산물의 유해 중금속 함량
    건조 농산물의 위해성 평가
국문요약
Conflict of interests
ORCID
References

• 김도우(광주광역시 보건환경연구원 식품분석과) | Do-Woo Gim (Food Analysis department, Health & Environment Research Institute of Gwangju Metropolitan City, Gwangju, Korea)
• 김효희(광주광역시 보건환경연구원 식품분석과) | Hyo-Hee Kim (Food Analysis department, Health & Environment Research Institute of Gwangju Metropolitan City, Gwangju, Korea)
• 임소영(광주광역시 보건환경연구원 식품분석과) | So-Young Lim (Food Analysis department, Health & Environment Research Institute of Gwangju Metropolitan City, Gwangju, Korea)
• 최수연(광주광역시 보건환경연구원 식품분석과) | Su-Yeon Choi (Food Analysis department, Health & Environment Research Institute of Gwangju Metropolitan City, Gwangju, Korea)
• 조은혜(광주광역시 보건환경연구원 식품분석과) | Eun-Hye Cho (Food Analysis department, Health & Environment Research Institute of Gwangju Metropolitan City, Gwangju, Korea)
• 정진(광주광역시 보건환경연구원 식품분석과) | Jin Jeong (Food Analysis department, Health & Environment Research Institute of Gwangju Metropolitan City, Gwangju, Korea)
• 이세미(광주광역시 보건환경연구원 식품분석과) | Se-Mi Lee (Food Analysis department, Health & Environment Research Institute of Gwangju Metropolitan City, Gwangju, Korea)
• 강인숙(광주광역시 보건환경연구원 식품분석과) | In-Sook Kang (Food Analysis department, Health & Environment Research Institute of Gwangju Metropolitan City, Gwangju, Korea)
• 김애경(광주광역시 보건환경연구원 식품분석과) | Ae-Gyeong Kim (Food Analysis department, Health & Environment Research Institute of Gwangju Metropolitan City, Gwangju, Korea) Corresponding author