The EU is heightening its food safety regulations for baby formula and food, vegetables, fruit, cereals, meat, fish and other produce, which will be screened against stricter limits of cadmium and lead content before they are released on the market.
Cadmium and lead are toxic metals found naturally in trace amounts in a lot of soil, which are taken up mostly by root in vegetables and fruits. They are present across various food items, but not considered dangerous for human health when consumed below certain limits.
The EU has now lowered these limits for a long list of food products in a bid to reduce exposure to carcinogenic substances, says the European Commission in a statement, following scientific advice.
“We know that an unhealthy diet increases the risk of cancer. Today’s decision aims to put consumers at the forefront by making our food safer and healthier, as we pledged in the framework of the European plan to fight cancer,” says Stella Kyriakides, health and food safety commissioner.
New limits to be enforced
The stricter limits for cadmium will be enforced starting from August 31, while those for lead will be introduced on August 30.
Food products that contain these metals in concentrations beyond these new limits – which entered the market before the implementation of the new rules – are permitted to be sold until the end of next February.
The main source of cadmium exposure for non-smokers is food, highlights the European Commission. The toxic heavy metal is present in the environment, both naturally and as a result of agricultural and industrial activities. It is predominantly found in foodstuffs such as fruits, vegetables, cereals and oilseeds.
Lead, meanwhile, is found across several foodstuffs such as wild mushrooms, spices and salt.