CEN/TC 275/WG 10 - Trace elements (heavy metals)

This document specifies a method for the determination of Ag, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Se, Tl, U and Zn in foodstuffs by ICP-MS after pressure digestion.
The following foodstuffs were analysed for the elements listed in Table 1 in an interlaboratory study: Banana (deep-frozen), Cocoa powder, Wheat noodle powder, Currant nectar (deep-frozen), Milk powder, Oyster (dried), Celery (dried), Dogfish liver (dried), Liver (deep-frozen), Kale (dried).
Table 1 - Rangea
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This document describes a method for the determination of organomercury in seafood/fishery products by elemental mercury analysis. The method has been successfully valideted in an interlaboratory study with a working range from 0,013 mg/kg to 5,12 mg/kg (HORRAT values <2) in seafood/fishery products [1], [2]. The limit of quantification is approximately 0,010 mg/kg organomercury (referring to dry weight, expressed as mercury) [3], [4].
Organic species of mercury, other than monomethylmercury, are also extracted and thus determined with this method. However, in seafood/fishery products the contribution from organic species of mercury other than monomethylmercury is negligible.

This document specifies a method for the determination of aluminium in food by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) after pressure digestion. This method was validated for infant formula, wheat noodle, cheese, liver, beetroot and cocoa powder at mass fractions in the range of 1 mg/kg to 200 mg/kg. At concentrations above 200 mg/kg, digestion temperatures higher than 220 °C can be necessary to recover the aluminium as completely as possible.

This document specifies a method for the determination of aluminium in food by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) after pressure digestion. This method was validated for wheat noodle, cheese, liver, beetroot and cocoa powder at mass fractions in the range of 15 mg/kg to 200 mg/kg. At concentrations above 200 mg/kg digestion temperatures higher than 220 °C can be necessary to recover the aluminium as completely as possible.

This European Standard describes a method for the determination of minerals and trace elements in foodstuffs using optical emission spectrometry with inductively coupled plasma (ICP-OES) after pressure digestion.
This method has been validated in an interlaboratory study according to ISO 5725 [1] on children's food soya, cheese, chicken meat, wheat flour, apple juice, lobster and milk, with calcium ranging from 70 mg/kg to 7178 mg/kg, with copper ranging from 0,60 mg/kg to 16,40 mg/kg, with iron ranging from 0,88 mg/kg to 77 mg/kg, with potassium ranging from 605 mg/kg to 14 312 mg/kg, with magnesium ranging from 45 mg/kg to 1 174 mg/kg, with manganese ranging from 0,44 mg/kg to 5,12 mg/kg, with sodium ranging from 11 mg/kg to 2 220 mg/kg, with phosphorus ranging from 72 mg/kg to 9 708 mg/kg, with sulfur ranging from 26 mg/kg to 8 542 mg/kg and with zinc ranging from 0,16 mg/kg to 43,5 mg/kg.

This final draft European Standard describes a method for the determination of monomethylmercury (MMHg) in foodstuffs of marine origin. The method has been validated in an interlaboratory test on mussel tissue, squid muscle, crab claw muscle, dog fish liver, whale meat, cod muscle and Greenland halibut muscle (all freeze-dried) at levels from 0,04 mg/kg to 3,6 mg/kg dry weight according to ISO 5725 2 [1].
Laboratory experiences have shown that this method is also applicable on fresh samples [2].

This draft European Standard describes a procedure for the determination of inorganic arsenic in foodstuffs of marine and plant origin by anion-exchange HPLC-ICP-MS following waterbath extraction.
This method has been validated in an interlaboratory test on white rice, wholemeal rice, leek, blue mussels, fish muscle and seaweed with an inorganic arsenic mass fraction in the range 0,073 mg/kg to 10,3 mg/kg [1].

This European Standard specifies a method for the pressure digestion of foodstuffs intended for the determination of elements. This method has been collaboratively tested in combination with atomic absorption (flame, electrothermal (ET), hydride, cold-vapour) techniques and ICP-MS. Other techniques such as e.g. ICP-OES, voltammetry or atomic fluorescence can be used in combination with this European Standard.

This Technical Specification describes a screening procedure for the determination of nitric-acid extractable inorganic arsenic in rice with hydride generation-AAS.
The method has been developed and validated for the application of analysis in rice. It has been validated in an interlaboratory study according to ISO 5725 [2] on parboiled rice and brown rice having an inorganic arsenic content of 0,092 mg/kg and 0,191 mg/kg.

This European Standard specifies performance criteria for the selection of methods of analysis of elements and their chemical species in foodstuffs and contains performance requirements and characteristics, guidelines for laboratory set-up, sample preparation and test reports.

This European Standard specifies a method for the determination of tin in foodstuffs and canned foods by flame and graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) after pressurized digestion. The collaborative study included foodstuffs having mass fractions of tin ranging from 43 mg/kg to 260 mg/kg (Flame-AAS) and from 2,5 mg/kg to 269 mg/kg (Graphite Furnace AAS).

This European Standard specifies a method for the determination of arsenic, cadmium, mercury and lead in foodstuffs by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The collaborative study included foodstuffs having an arsenic mass fraction ranging from 0,06 mg/kg to 21,5 mg/kg dry matter (d. m.), cadmium ranging from 0,03 mg/kg to 28,3 mg/kg d. m., mercury ranging from 0,04 mg/kg to 0,56 mg/kg d. m. and lead from 0,01 mg/kg to 2,4 mg/kg d. m.

This European Standard specifies a method for the determination of tin in foodstuffs by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) after pressurized digestion. The collaborative study included foodstuffs having a mass fraction of tin ranging from 2,5 mg/kg to 259 mg/kg.

This document specifies methods for the determination of sodium and magnesium in foodstuffs by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) after microwave digestion. Collaborative studies have been carried out (Annex A). The method is suitable for the determination of sodium not less than 1 500 mg/kg and magnesium not less than 250 mg/kg. Data for calcium is included for information (Annex B). The method is not applicable to wheat bran.

This document specifies a procedure for the determination of hydrochloric acid (gastric acid concentration) extractable inorganic arsenic in seaweed. Collaborative studies have been carried out (Annex A). The method is suitable for the determination of inorganic arsenic not less than 1 mg/kg and below 100 mg/kg on a dry weight basis. The amount of inorganic arsenic is considered to be that part determined by the procedure described in this document.

This European Standard specifies an extraction method for the determination of iodine compounds in foodstuffs by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS).

This document specifies two methods: one method for the determination of total arsenic and another method for the determination of selenium in foodstuffs by hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry (HGAAS) after pressure digestion.
Specific foodstuffs for which European Standards exist are excluded from the scope of this horizontal European Standard. It is the task of the analyst to review if vertical standards exist.
For the determination of total arsenic in high concentration in e.g. seafood, the method specified in EN 14332 can be used.

This European Standard specifies a method for the determination of total arsenic in foodstuffs by hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry (HGAAS) after dry ashing.
Specific foodstuffs for which European Standards exist are excluded from the scope of this horizontal European Standard. It is the task of the analyst to review if vertical standards exist.

This document specifies a method for the determination of arsenic in seafood by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS) after microwave digestion [1], [2]. The collaborative study has included food having an arsenic content ³ 2 mg/kg dry matter.
Specific foodstuffs for which European Standards exist are excluded from the scope of this horizontal document. It is the task of the analyst to review if vertical documents exist.

This Draft European Standard specifies a method for the determination of lead, cadmium, chromium and molybdenum in foodstuffs by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS) after pressure digestion. Specific foodstuffs for which European Standards exist are excluded from the scope of this horizontal European Standard. The analyst shall review if vertical standards exist.

This European standard specifies a method for the determination of Pb, Cd, Zn, Cu and Fe in foodstuffs by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) after microwave digestion. This method describes determination in various types of foods, with the exception of oils, fats and other extremely fatty products. The method has been successfully tested in an interlaboratory trial in which 16 laboratories participated. Food types covered by the method include composite diets, cereals, fish, beef, milk and fungi.

This European Standard specifies a method for the determination of mercury in foodstuffs by cold-vapour atomic absorption spectrometry (CVAAS) after pressure digestion.
Specific foodstuffs for which European Standards exist are excluded from the scope of this horizontal European Standard. It is the task of the analyst to review if vertical standards exist.

This document specifies a method for the determination of total mercury (Hg) in foodstuffs using direct atomic absorption spectrometry after thermal decomposition in an oxygen or air flow and concentration by amalgam formation. The method is applicable for solid and liquid samples.
This method was tested in a collaborative study carried out on seven different materials with a mercury concentration in the range from 0,005 mg/kg to 5,20 mg/kg and successfully validated in this range.
The following foodstuffs were analysed: Saithe (dried); Celery (dried); Wheat noodle powder; Wild mushrooms (dried); Pig liver (dried); Cacao powder; Tuna fish (dried).
The lower limit of the method’s applicability varies depending on the food matrix and the water content of the foodstuff. It is a laboratory-specific value and is defined by the laboratory when calculating the limit of quantification.

This document specifies a method for the determination of total mercury in foodstuffs by cold vapour atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) after pressure digestion.
This method was tested in a collaborative study carried out in connection with the pressure digestion method EN 13805 on seven different materials with a mercury concentration in the range from 0,005 mg/kg to 5,06 mg/kg and successfully validated in the range from 0,015 mg/kg to 5,06 mg/kg.
The following foodstuffs were analysed:
- Saithe (dried);
- Celery (dried);
- Wheat noodle powder;
- Wild mushrooms (dried);
- Pig liver (dried);
- Cacao powder;
- Tuna fish (dried).
The lower limit of the method’s applicability varies depending on the food matrix and the water content of the foodstuff. It is a laboratory-specific value and is defined by the laboratory when calculating the limit of quantification (see 9.2).

This document specifies a method for the determination of total mercury in foodstuffs by cold vapour atomic fluorescence spectrometry (AFS) after pressure digestion.
This method was tested in a collaborative study carried out in connection with the pressure digestion method EN 13805 on seven different materials with a mercury concentration in the range from 0,006 mg/kg to 5,38 mg/kg and successfully validated in this range.
The following foodstuffs were analysed: Saithe (dried); Celery (dried); Wheat noodle powder; Wild mushrooms (dried); Pig liver (dried); Cacao powder; Tuna fish (dried).
The lower limit of the method’s applicabilitiy varies depending on the food matrix and the water content of the foodstuff. It is a laboratory-specific value and is defined by the laboratory when calculating the limit of quantification.

This draft European Standard specifies a method for the determination of lead, cadmium, zinc, copper, iron and cromium in foodstuffs by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) after dry ashing at 450°C. The method describes determination in various types of foods. The method has been successfully tested in an interlaboratory trial in which 16 laboratories participated. Food types covered by the method include composite diets, cereals, fish, fruit, liver and milk.

This European Standard specifies a method for the digestion of foodstuffs under pressure intended for use in the determination of trace elements. This method has been collaboratively tested in combination with atomic absorption (flame, furnace, hydride, cold-vapour) techniques, ICP-MS. ICP-OES and voltametry can be used in combination with the measurement standards, which make reference to this one.

This European Standard specifies performance criteria for the selection of methods of analysis of trace elements in foodstuffs.
It provides general considerations about the special requirements on sample preparation, apparatus, equipment and reagents for trace elements analysis.
In selecting a method of analysis for a specific food matrix, the analyst should give preference to any method which has been developed by the appropriate vertical Technical Committee rather than using a method which has been developed by the horizontal Technical Committee CEN/TC 275/WG 10. However it is the responsibility of the ana-lyst to determine whether an applicable vertical standard has been published.

This document specifies a method for the determination of tin in vegetable foods preserved in cans by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS).
This method is applicable to the determination of extractable tin in fruits and vegetables and collaboratively tested in concentrations up to 350 mg/kg. It is a method for determination of tin in canned fruit and vegetables contaminated with migrated tin from the can. The method can be applied with the prescribed amount of sample to products with a maximum total dry matter of 30 percent. Products with higher total solid contents may be analysed using sample amounts less than 30 percent after corresponding dilution with deionised water.

This Technical Specification specifies a method for the determination of added inorganic iodine compounds, including water-soluble iodine compounds of natural origin, in dietetic foods by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS).