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.
Other food groups that are important contributors to the daily dietary exposure to inorganic arsenic are food for special dietary uses, boiled water, coffee and beer, rice grains and rice based products, fish and vegetables (especially algae).
The main adverse effects reported to be associated with long term ingesestion 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 foetal and infant development, particularly reduced birth weight.
Due to problems related to analysis of inorganic arsenic in a number of food commodities, maximum levels for arsenic have initially only been set for rice and derived products
(Reg. EC No 1881/2006, see Table 1):
Neotron proposal
Neotron performs the analysis of inorganic arsenic according to UNI EN 16802 standard1 by HPLC-ICP-MS technique, permiBng to detect the residues with a limit of quanficaon of 0,005 mg/kg for foods and food supplements.
Neotron has validated an analytical method for inorganic arsenic determination according to UNI EN 16802 standard1 in the following matrices: fruits and vegetables, cereals and cereals by-products, meat, fish, milk and dairy products, oils and vegetable fats, food products and food supplements.
To request an analysis, or to learn more about this specific topic, please do not hesitate to contact the Neotron team.