Metals as contaminants in food

Milestones

1. 2024

   Consumer exposure to inorganic arsenic in food raises a health concern, conclude EFSA experts. The finding confirms the outcome of EFSA’s previous assessment of the risks linked to the presence of inorganic arsenic in food from 2009.

2. 2021

   January

   EFSA publishes a report on chronic dietary exposure to inorganic arsenic, the first such report since 2014. It is based on consumption data from 23 European countries and 44 dietary surveys (87,945 subjects).

3. 2020

   October

   EFSA updates its scientific advice on the risks to human health from nickel in food and in drinking water. Experts increased the safe level, known as the tolerable daily intake ( TDI Det tolerable daglige indtag (TDI) er et skøn over den mængde af et stof i fødevarer eller drikkevand, som ikke er tilsat bevidst (f.eks. et forurenende stof) og kan indtages hele livet igennem uden at udgøre en nævneværdig sundhedsrisiko. ), from 2.8 micrograms per kilogram of body weight to 13 micrograms per kilogram of body weight. This is due to the application of the updated benchmark dose guidance which resulted in a more thorough dataset. Experts concluded that current chronic dietary exposure to nickel may be of concern in young people (infants, toddlers, children).

4. 2015

   January

   EFSA publishes a statement on the risks and benefits of seafood, specifically related to the presence of methylmercury in food. Limiting consumption of fish species with a high methylmercury content is the most effective way to achieve the health benefits of fish whilst minimising the risks posed by excessive exposure to methylmercury.

5. 2014

   March

   EFSA updates its analysis of the occurrence of arsenic in food in Europe. The Authority’s data specialists refine their estimates of chronic (long-term) dietary exposure to inorganic arsenic, which were found to be lower than previously reported by EFSA.

   EFSA publishes a scientific opinion on the risk to human health from chromium in food, particularly in vegetables and in bottled drinking water. EFSA’s experts establish a tolerable daily intake (TDI) of 0.3 milligrams per kilogram of body weight per day for chromium III – which occurs naturally, is an essential nutrient and the main form of chromium present in food. Dietary exposure across all age groups is well below the TDI and therefore does not raise concerns for public health.

   Animal studies indicate high levels of chromium VI can cause cancer; therefore, the Panel did not establish a safe level (‘TDI’) for chromium VI. Chromium VI is most commonly produced by industrial processes and is sometimes present in drinking water.

   EFSA’s experts conclude there is a concern regarding average chromium VI intake via drinking water for infants, but a low concern for all other age groups. Above average exposures for some groups, particularly infants, toddlers and other children, could be a concern but these estimates are limited by the availability of data.

6. 2011

   February

   Following an assessment of cadmium by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA), EFSA reassesses the  TWI Det tolerable ugentlige indtag (TWI) er den maksimale mængde af stoffer, f.eks. næringsstoffer eller forurenende stoffer, der kan indtages ugentligt i maden livet igennem uden risiko for sundhedsskadelige virkninger. of 2.5 µg/kg bw established in 2009 and concludes that it is still appropriate.

   The current average dietary exposure to cadmium for adults is close to the TWI and the exposure of some subgroups, such as children, vegetarians and people living in highly contaminated areas, could exceed the TWI. The risk of adverse effects for an individual at the current dietary exposure is low because the TWI is not based on actual kidney damage, but on an early indicator of changes in kidney function, suggesting possible kidney damage later in life. Experts reaffirm their previous conclusions that adverse effects are unlikely to occur in an individual at current dietary exposure but there is a need to reduce exposure to cadmium at the  population Gruppe af mennesker, dyr eller planter fra samme art. level.

7. 2010

   April

   EFSA publishes an opinion on possible health risks related to the presence of lead in food. Experts consider cereals, vegetables and tap water to contribute most to dietary exposure to lead for most Europeans. They conclude that current levels of exposure to lead pose a low to negligible health risk for most adults but there is potential concern over possible neurodevelopmental effects in foetuses, infants and children.

8. 2009

   October

   EFSA adopts an opinion on arsenic in food, mainly focused on inorganic arsenic, which is the more toxic form in which arsenic can appear. Experts recommend that exposure to inorganic arsenic should be reduced.

9. March

   EFSA conducts a risk assessment on dietary exposure to uranium in foodstuffs, in particular  mineral Et naturligt forekommende uorganisk grundstof (f.eks. calcium, jern), der er nødvendigt i kosten for at sikre normal vækst, udvikling og sundhed. water, and advises on the TDI for uranium. The opinion focuses on the chemical toxicity of uranium.

   EFSA concludes that average dietary exposure to uranium for the general population and high consumers across Europe is currently below the TDI. In specific areas where uranium concentrations in drinking water are high, the exposure estimates are close, but still below the TDI. For infants fed with infant formula made up with water containing uranium, exposure in relation to body weight may be up to three times higher than for adults.