Meat consumption continues to rise yearly as the world's population and wealth grow [1]. Processed meat, including red meat and poultry, is transformed through salting, curing, fermentation, smoking, or chemical preservatives [2]. In Europe, the daily consumption of processed meat ranges from 11 to 48 grams for women and 19 to 89 grams for men [3]. These meats are frequently packaged in materials such as Oriented Polypropylene/Ethylene Vinyl Alcohol/Polyethylene (OPP/EVOH/PE), Polyamide/Polyethylene (PA/PE), Polyethylene Terephthalate/Polyethylene (PET/PE), etc., all of which contain endocrine disruptors like Bisphenol A (BPA), phthalates, Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS), and dioxins [4]. Dietary consumption significantly contributes to exposure to xenoestrogens. Multiple studies have evaluated exposure levels to different xenoestrogens within specific populations. A wide range of chemicals exhibiting estrogenic activity in vitro has been identified in several food products [5]. Consequently, exposure to xenoestrogens is unavoidable for everyone through their diet. Concerning the increasing concerns over the possible negative effects on the health of these substances, the US Congress passed the Food Quality Protection Act in 1996, and the European Commission published the Community Strategy for Endocrine Disrupters in 1999 [6]. Both projects underlined the necessity of developing and deploying screening procedures for rapidly detecting xenoestrogens, particularly those that pose a health risk to humans. Xenoestrogens and pseudo-estrogens disturb the equilibrium of hormones, resulting in diseases such as cancer, metabolic syndrome, and infertility while also heightening the susceptibility to several other ailments [7]. Increased interaction with these substances possibly endangers the body's intricate biological balance. Many chemical substances have been identified as endocrine disruptors, raising concerns about their widespread presence in the environment and their potential detrimental effects on both animal and human health [8].

Polycarbonate and epoxy resins contain BPA or analogues, which are known to disrupt the endocrine system intended for direct contact with food [9]. These substances can contaminate food through canned packaging [10]. BPA exposure is associated with a variety of adverse health impacts, which include growth disturbances, issues with development, reduced fertility, disturbances in the endocrine system, inhibition of the immunological system, and possible carcinogenicity [11]. The level of BPA in food varies depending on the packaging used. A 2014 study found that certain animal-derived foods contained BPA levels as high as 400 µg/kg [12]. The liver sample had 395 µg/kg, while the cooked veal sample had 224 µg/kg. According to the authors, meat and meat products were one of seven food groups whose BPA contents exceeded the recommended limit, adding 10 to 15 µg/kg to the recommended daily consumption [13]. The content of BPA in pork flesh was more than 20 µg/kg. The tolerable daily intake (TDI) for BPA, established by The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), is 4 µg/kg body weight per day [13]. Sodium nitrate (NaNO3) salts have long been used as a preservative in cured meats to prevent microbial growth and toxin formation [14]. Nitrate is thought to disturb thyroid and steroid hormone balance, influencing developmental and reproductive outcomes [15]. There are several investigations that have examined the endocrine-disrupting characteristics of NaNO3. Because of the potential risks associated with nitrosamine formation, which can cause neurobehavioral and physiological issues [16], effective management of residual nitrate and nitrite levels in processed meats is a top priority for inspection and quality control [17]. High nitrite levels have been linked to negative outcomes such as miscarriage, neonatal abnormalities, carcinogenic nitrosamine exposure, and intrauterine growth restriction [18].

Despite regulatory bodies setting the TDI for BPA at 4 µg/kg body weight and NaNO3 at 3.7 mg/kg [19], various studies have reported higher concentrations of these chemicals. BPA levels of up to 400 µg/kg and NaNO3 levels of up to 200 mg/kg have been documented [12,20]. Although lower concentrations of these chemicals are generally considered safe for consumption, there is a notable lack of research on their combined toxicological effects. This study aims to investigate the toxicological and endocrine-disrupting implications of BPA and sodium nitrate found in preserved meat.