Results of the BfR MEAL Study: In Germany, mercury is mostly contained in fish and seafood while cadmium, lead, and nickel are present in a broad spectrum of foods

Abstract

The BfR MEAL Study provides representative levels of substances in foods consumed in Germany. Mercury, cadmium, lead, and nickel are contaminants present in foods introduced by environmental and industrial processes. Levels of these elements were investigated in 356 foods. Foods were purchased representatively, prepared as consumed and pooled with similar foods before analysis. Highest mean levels of mercury were determined in fish and seafood, while high levels of cadmium, lead, and nickel were present in cocoa products and legumes, nuts, oilseeds, and spices. The sampling by region, season, and production type showed minor differences in element levels for specific foods, however no tendency over all foods or for some food groups was apparent. The data on mercury, cadmium, lead, and nickel provide a comprehensive basis for chronic dietary exposure assessment of the population in Germany. All levels found were below regulated maximum levels.

Keywords: BfR MEAL Study; Contaminants; Metals; Organic and conventional type of production; Regionality; Seasonality; Total diet study; Unprepared and prepared foods.

Fig. 1

Highest mean levels [mg/kg] of A) Hg, B) Cd, C) Pb, and D) Ni in 15 out of 356 MEAL foods calculated using the upper bound approach (UB). A total of 869 pooled samples were aggregated to 356 MEAL foods for each substance. To include non-quantifiable results in the considerations the UB was applied and results below LOD were replaced by LOD, while results below LOQ were substituted by LOQ. Levels of all pooled samples of the 15 MEAL foods were above LOQ i.e. mLB und UB mean levels are identical. Preparation: MEAL foods are ready prepared for consumption (e.g. addition of liquid and / or further ingredients, heat treatment applied) if not indicated differently here. Deviations from full preparation: Specific MEAL foods contain only unprepared subsamples ready for consumption according to consumer habits, i.e. chia seeds, kitchen herbs, fresh, walnuts. Special MEAL foods contain a mixture of un-prepared and prepared subsamples ready for consumption according to consumer habits, i.e. hazelnuts (raw / roasted), hazelnut paste (unroasted / roasted), linseeds (raw / heat-treated), macadamia nuts, brazil nuts, pecans (raw / roasted), tuna (raw / heat-treated), sunflower seeds (raw / roasted), pumpkin seeds (raw / roasted). Special MEAL foods contain only processed products not finally prepared for consumption (e.g. no addition of liquid and / or further ingredients, no heat treatment applied), i.e. cocoa power, cocoa beverage-preparation, millet, spices.