EU Commission adopts regulations to reduce the amount of arsenic in food products.

March 18, 2023

The European Union has made changes in the amount of arsenic level present in certain food products. Lower maximum levels (MLs) are being adopted as a crucial step towards achieving the goals of Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan. This plan aims to reduce or completely eliminate the risk of food-borne carcinogens.

Regulation (EU) 2023/465, which modifies Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006 and establishes maximum levels of contaminants, such as arsenic, in specific foods, was published by the European Commission on March 3, 2023.

The new regulations will lower the permitted level of inorganic arsenic in white rice and rice-based foods like infant formula, baby foods, fruit juices, and salt. Previous levels were based on European Food Safety Authority report (2015) that stated Based on an EFSA opinion that stated inorganic arsenic may cause cancer of the skin, bladder, and lungs, whereas new limits were based on report from 2021.

Low concentrations of arsenic are found in rocks, soil, and natural groundwater. The new EU limits will adhere to the Codex Alimentarius maximum level for total arsenic in salt, which is 0.5 mg/kg.

Products that were lawfully marketed prior to the application of the new regulations will be permitted to continue being sold because some foods covered by the regulation have a longer shelf life.

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