EU monitoring recommendation for metals and iodine in seaweed and halophytes

April 2018. On March 21^st 2018 the European Commission published with its Recommendation (EU) 2018/464 the call for the monitoring of arsenic (preferably total arsenic and inorganic arsenic), cadmium, iodine, lead and mercury (preferably total mercury and methyl mercury) in the following products:

• Edible halophytes, such as Salicorna europaea, Tetragonia tetragonoides
• Seaweed species, reflecting consumption patterns and feed uses, including Arame (Ecklonia bicyclis), Bladderwrack (Fucus vesiculosus), Dulse (Palmaria palmata), Hiziki (Hizikia fusiforme), Irish moss (Chondrus crispus), Oarweed (Laminaria digitata), Kombu (Laminaria japonica, Saccharina japonica), Nori or Purple laver (Porphyra and Pyropia), Rockweed (Ascophyllum nodosum), Sea lettuce (Ulva sp.), Sea spaghetti (Himanthalia elongata), Serrated wrack (Fucus serratus), Sponge seaweed (Codium sp.) Sugar kelp (Sacharina latissima) Wakame (Undaria pinnatifida) and Winged kelp (Alaria esculenta)
• Food additives based on seaweed such as alginic acid and alginates, agar, carageenan, euchema seaweed and carotenes based on algae (E400, E401, E403, E404, E405, E406, E407, E407a and E160a(iv).

Background of the Monitoring Recommendation is the steadily increasing consumption of seaweed and halophytes within the EU. Available occurrence data show that seaweeds contain significant amounts of arsenic, cadmium, iodine, lead and mercury. Therefore, the objective of the monitoring is to assess the need to introduce maximum levels for arsenic, lead and cadmium in these products or to amend the maximum residue level for mercury in algae and prokaryotic organisms or if any actions have to be taken related to the exposure of iodine from these products.

Current regulatory provisions

Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006 sets maximum levels for cadmium in food supplements consisting exclusively or mainly of seaweed or products derived from seaweed. For mercury in algae and prokaryotic organisms a maximum residue level of 0.01 mg/kg is established according to Regulation (EC) No 396/2005. Already in 2006, the Scientific Committee on Food (SCF) established an upper limit for iodine intake of 600 µg/day for adults and of 200 µg/day for children of 1-3 years. For food additives based on seaweed, specification are laid down in the annexes of Regulation (EU) No 231/2012. Furthermore Directive 2002/32/EC establishes maximum levels for arsenic, lead, camium and mercury in feed.

Analysis of arsenic, cadmium, lead, mercury and iodine

Our experts from the Competence Centre for Metals and Elements of Eurofins Food & Feed Testing laboratories in Germany, Eurofins WEJ Contaminants GmbH, have many years of experience with the analysis of a broad spectrum of metals and elements applying all common analytical techniques such as classical atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) with graphite furnace or respectively cold vapor, as well as ICP-OES and ICP-MS-techniques.

The application of the ICP-MS/MS technique for very low limits of detections and the analysis of total arsenic and inorganic arsenic complement the comprehensive portfolio. And of course, Eurofins offers many further analyses for algae, algae products and food additives based on algae.

Any questions regarding the analysis of algae and algae Products? Just contact us!

For further information visit our webpage for the analysis of metals and elements, contact your account manager or directly our expert for food ingredients & additives, Yasmina Knop.