Cadmium

The EU Contaminants Regulation (EU) 1881/2006 regulates, among other things, the maximum levels for heavy metals. The regulation has now been revised for lead and cadmium.

 

In the amending regulation (EU) 2021 / 1317 respectively (EU) 2021 /2323, the new limit values for some products have been redefined. The new limit values apply from 08/30/2021 respectively 08/31/2021 with a six-month transition period for all products that have already been placed on the market before.

Here is an overview of the main changes:

 

Lead:

 

Category

Products

Maximum level
in mg/kg fresh weight

Note

3.1.13

Root and tuber vegetables (excluding

salsifies, fresh ginger and fresh

turmeric), bulb vegetables, flowering

brassica, head brassica, kohlrabies,

legume vegetables, stem vegetables

0,10

as before

3.1.14

Leafy brassica, salsify, the fungi

Agaricus bisporus (common

mushroom), Pleurotus ostreatus

(oyster mushroom), Lentinula edodes

(Shiitake mushroom) and leafy

vegetables (excluding fresh herbs)

0,30

as before

3.1.15

Wild fungi, fresh turmeric and fresh

ginger

0,80

NEW

3.1.16

Fruiting vegetables

 

 

Sweetcorn

0,10

as before

Other fruiting vegetables (except sweet corn)

0,05

as before

3.1.17

Fruit (excluding cranberries, currants,

elderberries and strawberry tree fruit)

0,10

as before

3.1.18

Cranberries, currants, elderberries

and strawberry tree fruit

0,20

as before

3.1.26

Dried spices

 

NEW

Fruit spices

0,60

Root and rhizome spices

1,50

Bark spices

2,00

Bud spices and flower pistil spices

1,00

Seed spices

0,90

 

Cadmium:

 

Category

Products

Maximum level
in mg/kg fresh weight

Note

3.2.1.5

Tree nuts

0,20

as before

3.2.1.5.2

Pine nuts

0,30

NEW

3.2.4

Fruiting vegetables

 

as before

3.2.4.2

Aubergines

0,030

NEW

3.2.5.1

Brassica, other than leafy brassica

0,040

raised

3.2.6

Leaf vegetables and herbs

 

as before

3.2.6.2

Spinaches and similar leaves, mustard seedlings and fresh herbs

0,20

NEW

3.2.8

Stem vegetables

 

as before

3.2.8.2

Leeks

0,040

NEW

3.2.10

Pulses and proteins from pulses

 

as before

3.2.10.2

Proteins from pulses

0,10

NEW

3.2.11

Oilseeds

 

as before

3.2.11.2

Rape seeds

0,15

NEW

3.2.11.6

Poppy seed

1,20

raised

 

YOUR PLUS: Heavy metal analyses are carried out by all AGROLAB food laboratories according to accredited procedures at low cost and with high sensitivity.