{"id":281479,"date":"2022-02-18T14:12:58","date_gmt":"2022-02-18T14:12:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.merieuxnutrisciences.com\/laboratory-testing\/contaminants-and-residues\/heavy-metals-in-food\/"},"modified":"2022-02-18T14:12:58","modified_gmt":"2022-02-18T14:12:58","slug":"heavy-metals-in-food","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.merieuxnutrisciences.com\/za\/laboratory-testing\/contaminants-and-residues\/heavy-metals-in-food\/","title":{"rendered":"Heavy Metals in Food"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"page-header-block-wrapper fullwidth-block\">\n    <div class=\"acf-page-header\" style=\"background-image: url('https:\/\/www.merieuxnutrisciences.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Heavy-metals-banner.jpg'); \">\n        <div class=\"overlay\"><\/div>\n        <div class=\"acf-page-header-container\">\n                            <div class=\"image-wrapper\">\n                    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.merieuxnutrisciences.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/heavy-metals-white-1.png\" alt=\"Icon\" \/>\n                <\/div>\n                        <h1>Heavy Metals in Food<\/h1>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<style>\n.page-header-block-wrapper{\n    margin-bottom: 60px;\n}\n\n.fullwidth-block {\n    max-width: none !important;\n    width: 100vw !important;\n    position: relative;\n    padding:0px;\n    left: 50%;\n    right: 50%;\n    margin-left: -50vw;\n    margin-right: -50vw;\n}\n\n.acf-page-header {\n    background-size: cover;\n    background-position: center;\n    display: flex;\n    position: relative;\n    min-height: 250px; \n}\n\n.acf-page-header-container{\n    margin: 0 auto;\n    padding: 48px 24px;\n    display: flex;\n    flex-direction: column;\n    justify-content: end;\n    align-items: center;\n}\n\n.acf-page-header .overlay {\n    position: absolute;\n    top: 0;\n    left: 0;\n    right: 0;\n    bottom: 0;\n    background: linear-gradient(to top, var(--global-palette4), transparent);\n    z-index: 1;\n}\n\n.acf-page-header-container .image-wrapper{\n    position:relative;\n    height: 70px;\n    width: 70px;\n    background: var(--global-palette4);\n    border-radius: 50%;\n    z-index: 1;\n}\n\n.acf-page-header-container img{\n    position: absolute;\n    top: 50%;\n    left: 50%;\n    transform: translate(-50%, -50%);\n    max-width:40px;\n    z-index: 2;\n}\n\n.acf-page-header h1 {\n    display:block;\n    position: relative;\n    z-index: 2;\n    color:white;\n    text-align: center;\n}\n\n@media (min-width: 1025px) {\n    .acf-page-header-container{\n        width: 1290px;\n    }\n    \n}\n\n@media (max-width: 1024px) {\n    .acf-page-header-container {\n        align-self: end;\n    }\n    .acf-page-header .overlay {\n        background: linear-gradient(to top, var(--global-palette4), transparent);\n    }\n}\n\n@media (max-width: 768px) {\n    .acf-page-header .overlay {\n        background: linear-gradient(to top, var(--global-palette4), transparent);\n    }\n    .acf-page-header h1 {\n        font-size:28px;\n    }\n}\n\n<\/style>\n\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Heavy metals<\/strong> and <strong>metalloids<\/strong>, often collectively referred to as <strong>heavy metals<\/strong>, are compounds found in the environment, including air, water, and soil. They occur both <strong>naturally <\/strong>and as a result of <strong>industrial <\/strong>and <strong>agricultural<\/strong> activities. The list of heavy metals includes, among others:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>arsenic<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>cadmium<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>lead<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>mercury (including inorganic mercury)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>inorganic tin<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>chromium<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>uranium<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">According to the analysis of <a href=\"https:\/\/food.ec.europa.eu\/safety\/rasff_en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">RASFF<\/a> data using our solution, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.merieuxnutrisciences.com\/za\/digital-tools\/safety-hud\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Safety HUD<\/a> (a M\u00e9rieux NutriSciences tool designed to identify worldwide <strong>food risks<\/strong> and <strong>frauds<\/strong>), <a href=\"https:\/\/www.merieuxnutrisciences.com\/fish-seafood-aquaculture\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"35850\"><strong>fish <\/strong>and <strong>seafood<\/strong><\/a><strong> <\/strong>were the most impacted food matrix in 2023, with close to <strong>172 notified events<\/strong>. This number has <strong>increased by 16,2% compared to 2022<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Furthermore, based on the RASFF data analysis, the heavy metal most frequently reported in <strong>Europe<\/strong> in 2023 was <strong>cadium<\/strong>, with <strong>180 alerts<\/strong>. The number of events linked to <strong>cadmium increased by 8,43% <\/strong>in 2023 compared to 2022.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\"><div class=\"wp-block-image is-style-rounded\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.merieuxnutrisciences.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/FISH.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.merieuxnutrisciences.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/FISH.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-76454\" style=\"width:300px\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">In 2023, Fish &amp; Seafood were the most impacted food matrix by Heavy Metals<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-14353_1b657a-e5 .kt-block-spacer{height:60px;}.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-14353_1b657a-e5 .kt-divider{border-top-width:1px;height:1px;border-top-color:#eee;width:80%;border-top-style:solid;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-spacer aligncenter kt-block-spacer-14353_1b657a-e5\"><div class=\"kt-block-spacer kt-block-spacer-halign-center\"><hr class=\"kt-divider\"\/><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-concentrations-of-heavy-metals-in-food-and-their-toxicity\">Concentrations of Heavy Metals in Food and their Toxicity<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"heavy-metals-toxicity-at-low-concentrations\">Heavy Metals Toxicity at Low Concentrations<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Heavy metals exhibit toxicity at low concentrations due to their relatively<strong> high density<\/strong>. They have <strong>no established health benefits<\/strong> and can cause <strong>illness<\/strong>, <strong>impairment<\/strong>, and, in high levels, <strong>death<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Various factors, ranging from <strong>environmental conditions during growth<\/strong> to <strong>post-harvest handling<\/strong>, <strong>processing<\/strong>, <strong>preparation<\/strong>, and <strong>cooking<\/strong> techniques, influence the toxic metal content in foods. Metals used in food processing <strong>equipment <\/strong>or <strong>packaging<\/strong> materials may contribute to food <strong>contamination<\/strong>, affecting overall food quality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In the EU, <a href=\"https:\/\/eur-lex.europa.eu\/eli\/reg\/2023\/915\/oj\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Regulation (EU) 2023\/915<\/a> of 19 December 2006 sets <strong>maximum levels<\/strong> for certain contaminants in foodstuffs (Text with EEA relevance). This Commission Regulation establishes a list of food items that cannot be placed on the EU market if they exceed specified limits for <strong>arsenic<\/strong>, <strong>cadmium<\/strong>, <strong>lead<\/strong>, <strong>mercury<\/strong>, and <strong>inorganic tin<\/strong>. The details can be accessed in the Annex.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Recently reviewed, the Commission Regulation has determined new limits for cadmium and lead in foodstuffs. To learn more about the latest concentration levels for cadmium and lead applicable as of the end of August 2021, you can refer to our post: <em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.merieuxnutrisciences.com\/maximum-levels-of-cadmium-and-lead-amended-in-eu\/\">Maximum Levels of Cadmium and Lead Amended in EU<\/a><\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-14353_e0bfc4-2a .kt-block-spacer{height:60px;}.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-14353_e0bfc4-2a .kt-divider{border-top-width:1px;height:1px;border-top-color:#eee;width:80%;border-top-style:solid;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-spacer aligncenter kt-block-spacer-14353_e0bfc4-2a\"><div class=\"kt-block-spacer kt-block-spacer-halign-center\"><hr class=\"kt-divider\"\/><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-13-trace-elements-necessary-for-life\"><strong>13 Trace Elements Necessary for Life<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While heavy metals are generally considered toxic to consumers, some of them are <strong>essential trace elements necessary for life<\/strong>. These trace elements include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>copper<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>cobalt<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>iron<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>nickel<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>magnesium<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>molybdenum<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>chromium<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>selenium<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>manganese<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>zinc<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">They play crucial functional roles in various <strong>physiological <\/strong>and <strong>biochemical <\/strong>activities, contributing to the overall health of the body.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-14353_3e767d-51 .kt-block-spacer{height:60px;}.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-14353_3e767d-51 .kt-divider{border-top-width:1px;height:1px;border-top-color:#eee;width:80%;border-top-style:solid;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-spacer aligncenter kt-block-spacer-14353_3e767d-51\"><div class=\"kt-block-spacer kt-block-spacer-halign-center\"><hr class=\"kt-divider\"\/><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"risk-assessment\">Risk Assessment on Heavy Metals in Food<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.efsa.europa.eu\/en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">EFSA <\/a>and the <a href=\"https:\/\/echa.europa.eu\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)<\/a> have conducted various opinions, risk assessments, and studies focusing on:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The <strong>toxicity<\/strong> of heavy metals,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The <strong>exposure <\/strong>to heavy metals.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These assessments have led to the recommendation of <strong>best practices<\/strong> aimed at reducing exposure to certain <strong>metalloids<\/strong>. As a result of these studies, ongoing modifications are being introduced into the current regulation to decrease <strong>Maximum Levels<\/strong> (MLs) in the most critical matrices. This ensures a continuous effort to enhance food safety and mitigate health risks associated with heavy metal exposure.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-14353_d1f2a8-e7 .kt-block-spacer{height:60px;}.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-14353_d1f2a8-e7 .kt-divider{border-top-width:1px;height:1px;border-top-color:#eee;width:80%;border-top-style:solid;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-spacer aligncenter kt-block-spacer-14353_d1f2a8-e7\"><div class=\"kt-block-spacer kt-block-spacer-halign-center\"><hr class=\"kt-divider\"\/><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"merieux-nutrisciences-range-of-services\">M\u00e9rieux NutriSciences&#8217; range of Services on Heavy Metals<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">M\u00e9rieux NutriSciences offers a comprehensive range of <strong>services<\/strong>, including <strong>testing<\/strong>, to food manufacturers for the quantification of heavy metals. This ensures compliance with <strong>regulations <\/strong>and <strong>quality <\/strong>standards. M\u00e9rieux NutriSciences assists food manufacturers in measuring the concentration of heavy metals in food products through various techniques, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>ICP-MS<\/strong>, ensuring high sensitivity even in complex matrices and in baby food.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>IC-ICP-MS<\/strong> for arsenic speciation, distinguishing between organic and inorganic arsenic.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Classical atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS)<\/strong> with graphite furnace or cold vapor.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Quantification<\/strong> of other heavy metals and elements.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Contact our experts to address heavy metals challenges : <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button has-custom-width wp-block-button__width-100\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.merieuxnutrisciences.com\/za\/contact\/\"><strong>Contact us<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kb-row-layout-id14353_a458ac-9f > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:start;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id14353_a458ac-9f > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:start;}.kb-row-layout-id14353_a458ac-9f > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;grid-template-columns:minmax(0, calc(30% - ((var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem) * 1 )\/2)))minmax(0, calc(70% - ((var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem) * 1 )\/2)));}.kb-row-layout-id14353_a458ac-9f{border-top-left-radius:8px;border-top-right-radius:8px;border-bottom-right-radius:8px;border-bottom-left-radius:8px;overflow:clip;isolation:isolate;}.kb-row-layout-id14353_a458ac-9f > 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.kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column14353_fb05c0-14 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column14353_fb05c0-14 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column14353_fb05c0-14 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column14353_fb05c0-14{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column14353_fb05c0-14 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column14353_fb05c0-14 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column14353_fb05c0-14\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-theme-palette-9-color has-text-color has-link-color has-large-font-size wp-elements-39c507a7b79ec9c10399df4e6720654f\"><strong>Blue Paper: Metals and metalloids<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-theme-palette-9-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-edaad64a997360b9ac823d7bcbfc264b wp-block-paragraph\">Access exclusive insights from our Metals and metalloids experts on the Blue Paper platform, including <strong>analyses of food safety, quality and sustainability trends and regulatory updates<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/mxnsbluepaper.com\/metals-metalloids\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Learn more about Metals and metalloids<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"page-cards-block-wrapper fullwidth-block\">   \n    <div class=\"page-cards-title-container\"> \n        <h2>Other Contaminants &#038; Residues<\/h2>    \n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"full-width-row-page-cards-wrapper\">\n        <div class=\"page-cards-container\">\n                                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.merieuxnutrisciences.com\/za\/laboratory-testing\/contaminants-and-residues\/\" class=\"card\">\n                                            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.merieuxnutrisciences.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/contaminants-blue.png\" alt=\"Contaminants &#038; Residues\" class=\"card-icon\"\/>\n                                        <div class=\"card-content\">\n                        <span>Contaminants &#038; Residues<\/span>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/a>\n                                <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>    \n   \n\n<style>\n.fullwidth-block {\n    max-width: none !important;\n    width: 100vw !important;\n    position: relative;\n    padding:0px;\n    \/* left: 50%;\n    right: 50%;\n    margin-left: -50vw;\n    margin-right: -50vw; *\/\n}\n\n.page-cards-title-container{\n    max-width: 1290px;\n    margin: 100px auto 150px auto;\n    padding-left: 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10px;\n}\n.card-content{\n    display:flex;\n    justify-content: center;\n}\n\n.card-content span{\n    color:var(--global-palette3);\n    text-align: center;\n    text-transform: uppercase;\n    margin: 5px 0;\n    line-height: 1.2em;\n    font-size: 16px;\n    font-weight:bold;\n}\n\n.card:hover {\n    animation: all ease-in-out 0.3s;\n    transform: scale(.95) translate(0px, -100px);\n    box-shadow: 0 4px 8px rgba(0,0,0,0.2);\n}\n\n@media (max-width: 767px) {\n    .page-cards-container {\n        flex-direction: column;\n        align-items: center;\n    }\n    .page-cards-title-container{\n        text-align: center;\n    }\n    \n}\n\n@media (min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1023px) {\n    .page-cards-container {\n        flex-wrap: wrap;\n        justify-content: space-around;\n    }\n    .page-cards-title-container{\n        text-align: center;\n    }\n\n}\n\n<\/style>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Heavy metals and metalloids, often collectively referred to as heavy metals, are compounds found in the environment, including air, water, and soil. They occur both naturally and as a result of industrial and agricultural activities. The list of heavy metals includes, among others: According to the analysis of RASFF data using our solution, Safety HUD&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":23,"featured_media":237970,"parent":278933,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"service-page-testing-blue.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","footnotes":""},"folder":[],"class_list":["post-281479","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"taxonomy_info":[],"featured_image_src_large":["https:\/\/www.merieuxnutrisciences.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Heavy-metals-banner.jpg",1024,299,false],"author_info":{"display_name":"Alice Marcolin","author_link":"https:\/\/www.merieuxnutrisciences.com\/za\/author\/alice-marcolin\/"},"comment_info":0,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.merieuxnutrisciences.com\/za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/281479","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.merieuxnutrisciences.com\/za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.merieuxnutrisciences.com\/za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.merieuxnutrisciences.com\/za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/23"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.merieuxnutrisciences.com\/za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=281479"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.merieuxnutrisciences.com\/za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/281479\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.merieuxnutrisciences.com\/za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/278933"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.merieuxnutrisciences.com\/za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/237970"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.merieuxnutrisciences.com\/za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=281479"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"folder","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.merieuxnutrisciences.com\/za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/folder?post=281479"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}