The maximum levels of contaminants in foodstuffs are controlled in legislation (EU No 1881/2006 and updates). In addition, the European Commission has given several recommendations for monitoring other contaminants.
Finnish Food Authority produces occurrence data of contaminants in foodstuffs. These data are mainly monitoring studies for national point of view (contaminants controlled in legislation) as well as other monitoring or research studies (contaminants whose levels in foodstuffs are not currently controlled in legislation).
The aim of this project was to identify, which contaminants among those named in legislation or monitoring recommendations can be important in Finland. This prioritization of contaminants was based on available data on the dietary exposure of consumers as well as on the toxicity (dose causing harmful health effect) of the contaminants. In addition, contaminants for which more national occurrence data is needed were identified, and the lack of information in toxicological data available from these compounds was mapped. Based on the collected data, the priority order for gathering new occurrence data of these contaminants was built.
The priority list of contaminants was built in two stages. In the first stage, exposure levels of consumers reported in literature as well as data on the toxicity of the compounds and the seriousness of the health effect (for example skin irritation, cancer) were used. In the second stage, this preliminary assessment was adjusted with use of national data on contaminant concentrations and consumer exposure to the extent these data were available.
Schedule
2017 - 2021
Funding
Ruokavirasto
Project group
- senior researcher Johanna Suomi
- senior researcher Liisa Uusitalo
- senior researcher Kimmo Suominen
- senior researcher Tero Hirvonen
- trainee Tia Heikkinen
- head of Risk Assessment Unit Pirkko Tuominen
Publications
Key food contaminants in Finland – health risks and information gaps. Finnish Food Authority Research Reports 1/2021 (pdf).
More information
Johanna Suomi, senior researcher, Risk Assessment Unit
johanna.suomi@foodauthority.fi