Analysis of locally toasted foods namely roasted animal skin (ponmo), roasted meat (Suya), roasted yam, roasted corn, roasted plantain (boli) obtained from Sagamu Local Government area of Ogun State, South western Nigeria was screened for the presence of 5 polycylic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and 6 heavy metals such as Zinc, Manganese, Nickel, Lead, Iron, Cadmium were also determined after digestion with aqua regia analysis using atomic absorption spectrophometer. Column chromatography packed with Na2SO4 and Silca gel was used for PAHs were carried out by gas chromatography GC/FID with the aid of 5 PAHs standards. The least concentration of Pyrene, Naphthalene and Anthracene in the foods indicate that these PAHs were not abundant in the woods (charcoal) used for their roasting. This study has shown that Polycylic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and heavy metals are present in fresh and prolonged processed foods. Since the metabolites of PAHs target cellular macromolecules such as DNA and this may lead to mutations and carcinogenesis while toxic heavy metals target membrane structures enzymes or DNA, exposure to these compounds can impact negatively on living system causing serious adverse health problem to living osrganisms. Considering the findings and observations of this study, highlighting the toxicity and risk of PAHs and heavy metals the need to promote research into better processing methods of food through technological advancement particularly in third world countries is further projected.
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