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 reviewed?
This document from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) outlines the issue of “metals as contaminants in food,” describing how heavy metal contamination enters the food chain and the risk management framework used in Europe. The focus is on naturally occurring elements like arsenic, cadmium, lead, mercury, and inorganic tin, which may accumulate in foods either from environmental sources or through human activities (farming, industry, processing). The review clarifies that EFSA’s “Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain” (CONTAM) provides scientific advice, including occurrence data, exposure assessments, and risk characterization. For industry stakeholders seeking to align with a heavy metal certification scheme like the Heavy Metal Tested and Certified (HTMC) program, this document offers a regulatory and scientific benchmark of contamination pathways, exposure issues, and governance mechanisms.
Who was reviewed?
The review spans food and feed categories across Europe rather than a specific study population. It addresses foods of plant and animal origin, processed foods, and, by extension, consumers exposed to metal contamination via diet. The CONTAM Panel’s remit covers analytical chemistry, exposure assessment, toxicology, epidemiology, and food/feed processing—meaning the “who was reviewed” entails both industry (food business operators) and regulatory bodies, as well as the general consumer population. For the HTMC program, the document’s relevance lies in its depiction of European risk-governance frameworks that must be understood by certification bodies, industry clients, and analytical labs as part of heavy metal risk control systems.
Most important findings
| Critical point | Details |
|---|---|
| Metals occur in food via environment and processing | EFSA states metals such as arsenic, cadmium, lead, mercury and inorganic tin are naturally present in soil, water and air and may also accumulate in foods via agricultural or industrial contamination and food processing. |
| Occurrence and exposure data underpin risk assessments | Children, infants, and high-consumption groups are highlighted as more vulnerable because intake relative to body weight is higher and diets may be less varied, increasing heavy metal exposure risk. |
| Particular concern for vulnerable groups | Children, infants and high-consumption groups are highlighted as more vulnerable because intake relative to body weight is higher and diets may be less varied, increasing heavy metal exposure risk. |
| Regulatory frameworks and maximum levels | Within the EU, Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006 (and its amendments) sets maximum levels for contaminants in foods including metals; this regulatory backbone is referenced in the EFSA text. |
| Ongoing monitoring and data collection efforts | Within the EU, Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006 (and its amendments) sets maximum levels for contaminants in foods, including metals; this regulatory backbone is referenced in the EFSA text. |
Key implications
The review of “metals as contaminants in food” by EFSA highlights several implications for HTMC and industry practice: regulatory impacts include alignment with EU maximum levels and expectations for systematic occurrence data; certification requirements must integrate continual monitoring, validated methods and attention to vulnerable populations; industry applications involve supply-chain controls, processing mitigation and analytical verification of heavy metal contamination; research gaps persist around speciation of metals (e.g., organo-arsenicals), emerging metals (e.g., nickel) and regional variability of exposure; practical recommendations include establishing periodic occurrence testing, aligning scheme thresholds to lowest feasible levels, and enhancing traceability of sourcing and processing to manage heavy metal contamination proactively.
Citation
European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). Metals as contaminants in food. EFSA. [Accessed 2025].
Heavy metals are high-density elements that accumulate in the body and environment, disrupting biological processes. Lead, cadmium, arsenic, mercury, nickel, tin, aluminum, and chromium are of greatest concern due to persistence, bioaccumulation, and health risks, making them central to the HMTC program’s safety standards.
Arsenic is a naturally occurring metalloid that ranks first on the ATSDR toxic substances list. Inorganic arsenic contaminates water, rice and consumer products, and exposure is linked to cardiovascular disease, cognitive deficits, low birth weight and cancer. HMTC’s stringent certification applies ALARA principles to protect vulnerable populations.
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.
Mercury (Hg) is a neurotoxic heavy metal found in various consumer products and environmental sources, making it a major public health concern. Its regulation is critical to protect vulnerable populations from long-term health effects, such as neurological impairment and cardiovascular disease. The HMTC program ensures that products meet the highest standards for mercury safety.
Nickel is a widely used transition metal found in alloys, batteries, and consumer products that also contaminates food and water. High exposure is linked to allergic contact dermatitis, organ toxicity, and developmental effects, with children often exceeding EFSA’s tolerable daily intake of 3 μg/kg bw. Emerging evidence shows nickel crosses the placenta, elevating risks of preterm birth and congenital heart defects, underscoring HMTC’s stricter limits to safeguard vulnerable populations.
