Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41227713›Full record

ReviewFoods (Basel, Switzerland)2025

Meat Adulteration in the MENA and GCC Regions: A Scoping Review of Risks, Detection Technologies, and Regulatory Challenges.

Zeina Daher, Mahmoud Mohamadin, Adem Rama, Amal Salem Saeed Albedwawi, Hind Mahmoud Mahaba, Sultan Ali Al Taher

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Foods (Basel, Switzerland), 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Zeina DaherFaculty of Health Sciences, Higher Colleges of Technology, University City, Sharjah P.O. Box 7947, United Arab Emirates.ORCID 0000-0002-9931-9040
Mahmoud MohamadinCollege of Veterinary Medicine, University of Al Dhaid, Sharjah P.O. Box 27272, United Arab Emirates.ORCID 0000-0003-1886-0028
Adem RamaFaculty of Health Sciences, Higher Colleges of Technology, University City, Sharjah P.O. Box 7947, United Arab Emirates.
Amal Salem Saeed AlbedwawiFood Safety Department, Dubai Municipality, Dubai P.O. Box 67, United Arab Emirates.
Hind Mahmoud MahabaDubai Central Laboratory Department, Dubai Municipality, Dubai P.O. Box 67, United Arab Emirates.
Sultan Ali Al TaherFood Safety Department, Dubai Municipality, Dubai P.O. Box 67, United Arab Emirates.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundMeat adulteration poses serious public health, economic, and religious concerns, particularly in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) regions where halal authenticity is essential. While isolated studies have reported undeclared species in meat products, a comprehensive regional synthesis of prevalence, detection technologies, and regulatory responses has been lacking.

methodsThis scoping review followed PRISMA-ScR guidelines. A systematic search of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science from database inception to 15 September 2025 was conducted using controlled vocabulary (MeSH) and free-text terms. Eligible studies included laboratory-based investigations of meat adulteration in MENA and GCC countries. Data were charted on study characteristics, adulteration types, detection methods, and regulatory context.

resultsOut of 50 records screened, 35 studies were included, covering 27 MENA/GCC countries. Prevalence of adulteration varied widely, from 5% in UAE surveillance studies to 66.7% in Egyptian native sausages. Undeclared species most frequently detected were poultry, donkey, equine, pig, and dog. Molecular methods, particularly PCR and qPCR, were most widely applied, followed by ELISA and spectroscopy. Recent studies introduced biosensors, AI-assisted spectroscopy, and blockchain traceability, but adoption in regulatory practice remains limited.

conclusionsMeat adulteration in the MENA and GCC regions is localized and product-specific rather than uniformly widespread. Detection technologies are advancing, yet regulatory enforcement and halal-sensitive verification remain fragmented. Strengthening laboratory capacity, harmonizing regional standards, and investing in portable biosensors, AI-enhanced spectral tools, and blockchain-based traceability are critical for consumer trust, halal integrity, and food safety.

Indexed as

biosensorsfood fraudGCChalal authenticitymeat adulterationMENAPCRpublic healthregulatory frameworksspectroscopy

Identifiers

PMID41227713
PMCPMC12609501

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.