Clinical Pharmacist and Master’s student in Clinical Pharmacy with research interests in pharmacovigilance, behavioral interventions in mental health, and AI applications in clinical decision support. Experience includes digital health research with Bloomsbury Health (London) and pharmacovigilance practice in patient support programs. Published work covers drug awareness among healthcare providers, postpartum depression management, and patient safety reporting. 
Clinical Pharmacist and Master’s student in Clinical Pharmacy with research interests in pharmacovigilance, behavioral interventions in mental health, and AI applications in clinical decision support. Experience includes digital health research with Bloomsbury Health (London) and pharmacovigilance practice in patient support programs. Published work covers drug awareness among healthcare providers, postpartum depression management, and patient safety reporting. What was studied?
This original research article examined the concentration of cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) in a wide range of fruits and vegetables available on the Polish market, encompassing fresh, frozen, dried, and processed forms. The study aimed to determine which groups of these food products pose greater contamination risks and to evaluate how processing, preservation, and drying influence heavy metal content. Using atomic absorption spectrometry, the researchers analyzed 370 samples and compared the measured concentrations against EU regulatory maximum permissible levels for Cd and Pb. Statistical models, including ANOVA and Tukey’s post-hoc tests, were employed to assess differences in contamination between food groups and to identify samples exceeding legal safety limits. The findings are directly relevant to the heavy metal certification program, offering comprehensive insights into contamination risks across common dietary staples and the effectiveness of food safety monitoring systems.
Who was studied?
The study focused on 370 samples of fruits and vegetables sourced from Polish markets, representing typical consumer products. The samples included apples, pears, grapes, raspberries, strawberries, cranberries, beetroots, celery, carrots, and tomatoes, analyzed in fresh, frozen, dried, and various processed forms (such as juices, jams, marmalades, and products stored in syrup or marinade). The products reflected a variety of agricultural and processing origins within Poland. Laboratory analyses were performed by accredited food control and academic laboratories, adhering to EU and ISO standards for sampling and measurement. While the research did not involve direct human subjects, the data robustly reflect the exposure risk for the general Polish population and, by extension, consumers in similar regulatory and agricultural contexts.
Most important findings
| Critical Points | Details |
|---|---|
| Exceedance of Maximum Limits | Cd exceeded legal limits in 2 fruit and 10 vegetable samples; Pb exceeded in 3 vegetable samples. |
| Highest Contamination in Dried Products | Dried fruits and vegetables had the highest average Cd and Pb concentrations, likely due to water removal concentrating residues. |
| Sample-Specific Risks | Some individual samples, especially fresh beetroots and celeries, showed extreme exceedances (up to 670% of Cd, 1074% of Pb limits). |
| Significant Differences Between Food Forms | ANOVA and Tukey tests showed significant differences in mean Cd and Pb content between fresh, frozen, dried, and processed types. |
| Broad Variability in Heavy Metal Content | Most samples were below regulatory limits, but notable outliers exist, indicating risk from certain batches or processing methods. |
| Implications for HTMC Programs | Highlights the necessity of monitoring all food forms, not just fresh produce, for heavy metal certification and consumer safety. |
Key implications
For heavy metal certification programs, this study underscores the critical need for comprehensive testing across all forms of fruits and vegetables, not just fresh products. Dried and certain processed products can present elevated risks, sometimes exceeding regulatory limits by large margins. Routine monitoring and batch-specific investigations are essential to ensure food safety and regulatory compliance.
Citation
Rusin M, Domagalska J, Rogala D, Razzaghi M, Szymala I. Concentration of cadmium and lead in vegetables and fruits. Scientific Reports. 2021;11:11913. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-91554-z
Cadmium is a persistent heavy metal that accumulates in kidneys and bones. Dietary sources include cereals, cocoa, shellfish and vegetables, while smokers and industrial workers receive higher exposures. Studies link cadmium to kidney dysfunction, bone fractures and cancer.
Lead is a neurotoxic heavy metal with no safe exposure level. It contaminates food, consumer goods and drinking water, causing cognitive deficits, birth defects and cardiovascular disease. HMTC’s rigorous lead testing applies ALARA principles to protect infants and consumers and to prepare brands for tightening regulations.
