Heavy Metals & Elements Testing
Our laboratory provides analysis services for the detection of heavy metals and microelements in food and feed products.
The analysis of heavy metals is part of the broader scenario of the monitoring of undesired substances.
Starting from Reg. CE n. 466/2001 and the following Reg. CE n. 1881/2006 the presence of some metals in food has been subjected to particular restrictions. The increase of the analyses aimed at checking the content of inorganic contaminants has brought the attention to emerging problems, connected to the presence of elements such as cadmium, lead, mercury and arsenic, both in food and feed.
Typologies of heavy metals
Classical heavy metals:
- Arsenic
- Cadmium
- Mercury
- Lead
Other contaminating elements:
- Copper
- Tin
- Aluminium
- Nickel
- Chromium
- Cobalt
- Manganese
- Zinc
- Iron
- Inorganic Arsenic
Analytical techniques
The inorganic mass spectrometry, indicated as ICP-MS (Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry), is the selected analytical technique for the detection of traces of inorganic contaminants (at parts per billion level – ppb). It is based on the use of mass spectrometry together with the Inductively Coupled Plasma and it takes advantage of the use of a plasma torch (ICP) for producing the ionization, and of a mass spectrometer for the separation and detection of the ions produced.
When the limits to be reached are at parts per million level (ppm), as in the case of copper and tin, the analyses can be carried out also by ICP-AES (Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy), where the plasma flux is directed to an optical detector.
Legislative References
- Commission Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006 of 19 December 2006 setting maximum levels for certain contaminants in foodstuffs.
Systematic participation in the Proficiency Test provides external evidence of the performance of the applied test methods. Contact us to receive the results of the latest P-tests.
Revamping of Metal Lab and Clean Area
In 2020 Neotron completed the revamping of our Metal Lab, in which a clean area has been created for metal trace detection The clean room has been designed in compliance with ISO 8 standards aiming to reduce interferences from external environment and from contaminated materials.
Architectural, mechanical, electrical and hydraulic infrastructure , such as HVAC System, Ceiling according to Pharmaceutical standards, walls and floors completely covered by PVC, interlocked door control system and ventilated lockers have been implemented to guarantee the fulfilment of these very demanding standards.
This restructuring enables us to continue fulfilling more demanding customer needs avoiding cross contaminations and guaranteeing the lowest limit of quantification, and satisfy new customers focus’ on hot topics such as elementary impurities (e.g. food and cosmetics), and explore new business areas such as semiconductors.
Determination of arsenic in food
Arsenic is a naturally occurring element, that exist in different inorganic and organic forms, present in soil, ground water and plants.
The inorganic forms of arsenic are more toxic as compared to the organic arsenic.
Food, particularly grain-based processed products such as wheat bread, rice, milk and dairy products, and drinking water are the main sources of exposure.
The main adverse effects reported to be associated with long term ingestion of inorganic arsenic in humans are: skin lesions, cancer, developmental toxicity, neurotoxicity, cardiovascular diseases, abnormal glucose metabolism, and diabetes. There is emerging evidence of negative impacts on fetal and infant development, particularly reduced birth weight.
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Services
Food and Feed
Neotron is a leading European provider of analytical services for the food and feed industry. We provide advanced technological methods to test the chemical, microbiological, and molecular composition of food products for our clients.
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