<![CDATA[Children may be exposed to hazardous chemicals through contaminated foods or chemicals introduced during food production, processing, storage, and packaging. However, evidence on dietary chemical exposure and child health remains fragmented. This systematic review synthesized evidence on food-related chemical exposure and health outcomes in children. PubMed and Scopus were searched for primary studies published between 2016 and 2026. Eligible studies included children or adolescents younger than 18 years, assessed dietary or food-related chemical exposure, and reported health outcomes or biological responses. Studies were excluded if they lacked relevant outcomes, focused on non-dietary exposure, included adults only, or investigated microbial contaminants. Of 838 records identified, 23 studies met the eligibility criteria. These examined endocrine-disrupting chemicals and plasticizers, mycotoxins, metals and metalloids, fluoride, melamine, processing-related contaminants, natural plant toxins, and chemical mixtures. Seventeen studies reported direct health outcomes, and six reported intermediate biological responses. Associations involved growth, neurodevelopment, cognitive and pubertal development, cardiometabolic risk, dental outcomes, renal and oxidative stress biomarkers, immune and microbiome responses, respiratory and allergic outcomes, and clinical toxicity. The strength and consistency of associations varied across chemical-outcome relationships. Overall, substantial heterogeneity, methodological limitations, and limited evidence for several chemical-outcome pairs constrain causal interpretation.]]>
