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In the environment, arsenic occurs naturally and forms many different compounds in combination with either inorganic or organic substances. Industrial emissions and its use in fertilizers and pesticides have contributed to increased levels.
Food is the main source of exposure to inorganic arsenic for the general population in Europe. The main contributors to dietary exposure are rice and grains, and their derivatives. Drinking water also contributes to exposure, although levels are usually low in Europe.
The European Commission has updated the risk assessment of inorganic arsenic in food (original publication in 2009). This update involved carrying out a hazard assessment using the revised exposure assessment issued by EFSA in 2021 (0.06 µg/kg bw per day). For its assessment, EFSA considered the increased incidence of skin cancers associated with inorganic arsenic exposure as the most relevant harmful effect.
The CONTAM Panel concluded that low to moderate exposure to inorganic arsenic can lead to:
- Cancers of the skin, bladder and lung
- Spontaneous abortion, stillbirth, infant mortality
- Congenital heart disease
- Neurodevelopmental effects
- Ischaemic heart disease
- Respiratory disease
- Chronic kidney disease
- Atherosclerosis
- Decreased birth weight
- Skin lesions
EFSA concluded that consumer exposure to inorganic arsenic in food raises a health concern. This finding corroborates the outcome of EFSA’s previous assessment of 2009.
In addition, the European Commision asked EFSA to provide risk assessments on small and complex organoarsenic compounds and provide a risk assessment of combined exposure to inorganic and organic arsenic. These assessments will be finalised by the beginning of 2025. Once it is ready, the possible risks of combined exposure to organic and inorganic arsenic in food will be assessed.
What about the EU Regulation for Inorganic Arsenic?
Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/915 of 25 April 2023 on maximum levels for certain contaminants in food, establishes the maximum level of inorganic arsenic (sum of As(III) and As(V)) in several products:
| 3.4 | Arsenic | Maximum Level (mg/kg) | Remarks |
| Inorganic arsenic (sum of As(III) and As(V)) | The maximum level for inorganic arsenic applies to products listed in 3.4.1 to 3.4.4. | ||
| 3.4.1 | Cereals and cereal-based products | Rice, husked rice, milled rice and parboiled rice as defined in Codex Standard 198-1995. | |
| 3.4.1.1 | Non-parboiled milled rice (polished or white rice) | 0,15 | |
| 3.4.1.2 | Parboiled rice and husked rice | 0,25 | |
| 3.4.1.3 | Rice flour | 0,25 | |
| 3.4.1.4 | Rice waffles, rice wafers, rice crackers, rice cakes, rice flakes and popped breakfast rice | 0,30 | |
| 3.4.1.5 | Rice destined for the production of food for infants and young children | 0,10 | |
| 3.4.1.6 | Non-alcoholic rice-based drinks | 0,030 | |
| 3.4.2 | Infant formulae, follow-on formulae and food for special medical purposes intended for infants and young children and young child formulae | The maximum level applies on the product as placed on the market. | |
| 3.4.2.1 | placed on the market as powder | 0,020 | |
| 3.4.2.2 | placed on the market as liquid | 0,010 | |
| 3.4.3 | Baby food | 0,020 | The maximum level applies on the product as placed on the market. |
| 3.4.4 | Fruit juices, concentrated fruit juices as reconstituted and fruit nectars | 0,020 | |
| Total arsenic | The maximum level for total arsenic applies to products listed in 3.4.5 | ||
| 3.4.5 | Salt | 0,50 |
How can we Help?
Mérieux NutriSciences provides a wide range of services (including testing) to food manufacturers for arsenic and inorganic arsenic quantification. Our experts guarantee them to meet regulations and quality standards.
Our laboratories are ISO17025 accredited.
For more information, contact our experts: