EFSA assesses arsenic in food

The Panel compared amounts of arsenic that people could consume through food and drink to levels which may cause certain health problems. As there was little or no difference between the two, the Panel could not rule out the possibility of a health risk for some people. As a result, the Panel recommended that exposure Concentration or amount of a particular substance that is taken in by an individual, population or ecosystem in a specific frequency over a certain amount of time. to inorganic arsenic, the more toxic form, should be reduced.

However, the Panel also highlighted considerable uncertainties in relation to its risk assessment  A specialised field of applied science that involves reviewing scientific data and studies in order to evaluate risks associated with certain hazards. It involves four steps: hazard identification, hazard characterisation, exposure assessment and risk characterisation.. It stressed the need for more data on levels of organic and inorganic arsenic in different foodstuffs, as well as on the relationship between arsenic intake The amount of a substance (e.g. nutrient or chemical) that is ingested by a person or animal via the diet. levels and possible health effects.

Arsenic is a widely-occurring contaminant which occurs both naturally and as a result of human activity. It appears in many different forms, which can be either organic (i.e. containing carbon) or inorganic. Food is the main source of exposure to arsenic for the general population Community of humans, animals or plants from the same species. in Europe.

The EFSA opinion mainly focuses on inorganic arsenic, which is often of geological origin and can be found in groundwater. Long-term intake of inorganic arsenic has been associated with a range of health problems, including skin lesions, cardiovascular diseases and some forms of cancer.

The main contributors to overall dietary exposure For the purposes of risk assessment, measurement of the amount of a substance consumed by a person or animal in their diet that is intentionally added or unintentionally present (e.g. a nutrient, additive or pesticide). to inorganic arsenic were considered by the Panel to be cereal grains and cereal-based products, food for special dietary uses (such as algae), bottled water, coffee and beer, rice and rice-based products, fish and vegetables.

EFSA was asked by the European Commission to assess the health risks related to the presence of arsenic as a contaminant in foodstuffs, as there are currently no harmonised maximum levels for arsenic in foodstuffs in Europe. EFSA’s scientific advice will help to inform any follow-up action to be taken by the Commission and/or EU Member States.

The CONTAM Panel is currently working on a series of opinions related to metals such as arsenic which are found as contaminants in food. Opinions on cadmium and uranium were published earlier this year and a further opinion, on lead, is due to be adopted in the coming months.

• Scientific Opinion on Arsenic in Food