IMEP-106

Determination of total Cd, Pb, As and Hg in food supplements

Proficiency test on heavy metals in food supplements

The Community Reference Laboratory for Heavy Metals in Feed and Food in the frame of Commission Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006, and contributing to the implementation of high quality and uniform analytical results, organised a proficiency test on the determination of total Cd, Pb, As and Hg in food supplements.

The main objective of this exercise was to evaluate the capabilities of the nominated national reference laboratories in the determination of heavy metals according to Commission Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006.

Only appointed national reference laboratories could participate in this exercise.

Test material and analytes

The test material to be analysed was a food supplement of plant origin. Two sachets/participant were sent to the participants in June 2009. The measurands were total Cd, Pb, As and Hg.

General outline of the exercise

Participants were requested to perform two or three independent analyses using the method of their choice for the determination of total Cd, Pb, As and Hg.

Read more

Baer, I., Emteborg, H., de la Calle, B.: "Results from two interlaboratory comparisons on the measurement of trace element contents in food supplements - State of the art of control laboratories in Europe", Food Chemistry, vol 126, No. 3 (2011): pages 1498 to 1504