Abstract: Objective To assess the food safety of consuming Citrus grandis fructus immaturus. Methods The health risks associated with consuming citrus Citrus grandis immaturus were comprehensively analyzed by detecting and analyzing its active components, contaminants (such as heavy metals and pesticide residues), and microbial indicators, combined with its consumption history, population safety surveys, and toxicological safety evaluation results. Results The Citrus grandis fructus immaturus is rich in flavonoids such as naringin and rhofolin. The levels of heavy metals, pesticide residues, and microbial indicators in the tested samples all met the relevant regulatory limits. Toxicological safety tests showed that Citrus grandis fructus immaturus exhibited no acute toxicity, genetic toxicity, or subacute toxicity. The no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) was determined to be 10.0 g/kg body weight (BW). Based on the consumption patterns of Citrus grandis 'Tomentosa' in 19 cities in Guangdong, Huazhou city in Maoming was selected as a typical consumption area for the survey. Citrus grandis fructus immaturus was primarily consumed indirectly through methods such as soaking in water, boiling, or cooking in soups. The average daily intake in the typical consumption area was 1.19 g/day. No adverse reactions related to its consumption were reported. Conclusion For adults (excluding pregnant women, lactating women, and individuals under 18 years old), the potential health risks of consuming immature Citrus grandis fructus immaturus are low when the daily intake does not exceed 6.0 g.

Key words: Citrus grandis fructus immaturus, Eating, Safety assessment