The JRC has developed and released ERM-BD512, a new reference material based on dark chocolate and certified for four trace elements: cadmium, copper, manganese and nickel.
This material will support food control authorities in quality control of their measurement results to the safety of chocolate.
On 1 January 2018, a new amendment ((EC) No 488/2014) to Commission Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006 came into force establishing, among others, new maximum residue levels (MRLs) for cadmium in chocolate and cocoa products.
To support monitoring of these MRLs in chocolate by food authorities the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) has released a new Certified Reference Material ERM-BD512 Dark Chocolate, certified for cadmium and three other trace elements.
This new CRM was produced from commercially available chocolate, with a cadmium content of about half of the new regulatory limit. It will allow laboratories to quality control their analytical measurements with the aim to ensure food safety.
Chocolate and other sweetened cocoa products used in cocoa beverages are frequently consumed by children and adolescents and represent one of the main sources of cadmium exposure for these age groups. Cadmium is known to cause kidney damage. The Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives concluded that there is a need to reduce exposure to cadmium at the population level; this led eventually to new maximum residue levels for cadmium in chocolate and cocoa.
Further details on ERM®-BD512 can be found in the certificate and certification report available in the JRC on-line catalogue: ERM-BD512
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- Publication date
- 27 March 2018