EU to Regulate Maximum Limits for Nickel in some Foods
New Commission recommendation (EU) 2024/907
Nickel is a widespread component of the Earth’s crust and is ubiquitous in the biosphere. Its presence in food can arise from both natural and anthropogenic sources.
In 2015, the EFSA adopted a scientific opinion on the public health risks related to the presence of nickel in food and drinking water. This opinion highlights the most critical toxicities of this element, particularly its effects on reproduction and development from chronic oral exposure to nickel. It identifies eczematous reactions and the exacerbation of allergic reactions as critical effects of acute oral exposure to nickel in individuals sensitized to it.
Since the data were insufficient at the time, EFSA recommended that the Member States collect more information on the presence of nickel in food and water.
Based on the data collected by 2020, EFSA adopted an updated risk assessment of nickel in food and drinking water. This update concluded that nickel could cause both chronic and acute health effects.
EU Regulation for Nickel in Food
The European Commission published the Recommendation (EU) 2024/907, dated March 22, 2024, on March 26th. It recommends that Member States and food business operators regularly provide monitoring data to the Authority. The Authority will compile this data, along with the information in the electronic reporting format it specifies, into a single database.
The monitoring is to include:
- food supplements
- chocolate, chocolate spreads, nut spreads, cocoa beans
- cereal-based products (especially breakfast cereals, cereal flakes, and oat milling products)
- ready-to-eat soups
- coffee
- tea
- vegetables
- seaweeds
- oilseeds
- soy-based products (such as tofu and soy drinks)
- pulses
- nuts
- fish and other seafood
The 2024 Draft Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/915 and its Annex proposed maximum levels for nickel in various foods, considering the available data on occurrence. These are currently under discussion and are expected to be applicable from July 1, 2025. Foods lawfully placed on the market before this date may remain on the market until their minimum durability or use-by date.
Annex
| 3.6 | Nickel | Maximum level (mg/kg) | Remarks |
| 3.6.1 | Tree nuts | The maximum level applies to edible part. The maximum level does not apply to tree nuts for crushing and oil refining, provided that the remaining pressed tree nuts are not placed on the market as food. In case the remaining pressed tree nuts are placed on the market as food, the maximum level applies, taking into account Article 3(1) and (2). | |
| 3.6.1.1 | Tree nuts except products listed in 3.6.1.2 | 3,5 | |
| 3.6.1.2 | Chestnuts, pine nuts, walnuts, Brazil nuts, cashew nuts | 10 | |
| 3.6.2 | Root and tuber vegetables and bulb vegetables | 0,90 | The maximum level applies to the wet weight. The maximum level applies after washing and separating the edible part. For potatoes, the maximum level applies to peeled potatoes. |
| 3.6.3 | Fruiting vegetables | 0,40 | The maximum level applies to the wet weight. The maximum level applies after washing and separating the edible part. |
| 3.6.4 | Brassica vegetables | 0,50 | The maximum level applies to the wet weight. The maximum level applies after washing and separating the edible part. |
Mérieux NutriSciences provides a wide range of services (including testing) to food manufacturers for nickel quantification by ICP-MS, guaranteeing that they meet regulations and quality standards. Our laboratories are ISO17025-accredited.
