News

Go back

05.12.2022 - Foods

BfR: Uptake of Nickel (Heavy Metal) via Food

The German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) published its Communication No. 033/2022 "Nickel: Estimation of Long-Term Intake Through Food Based on the BfR-MEAL Study" on November 22, 2022.

Nickel naturally occurs as a component of the Earth's crust in the environment or enters drinking water and food through industrial applications.

In its MEAL study, the BfR examined 90% of the most consumed foods in Germany for nickel. The main food groups "Legumes, Nuts, Oilseeds, and Spices" as well as "Coffee, Cocoa, and Tea" showed the highest average nickel contents at approximately 1.6 mg/kg and 1.5 mg/kg, respectively. Cocoa powder had the highest measured content of 11.1 mg/kg, followed by cashew nuts at about 5.4 mg/kg. 

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) set a Tolerable Daily Intake (TDI) of 13 micrograms per kilogram (μg/kg) of body weight per day in 2020. Based on the MEAL data, the calculated intake of nickel through diet would utilize 11% of the TDI for adults and adolescents, and 42% for children. From EFSA's perspective, there may be health concerns regarding the intake of nickel through food for the younger age groups.

In our Tentamus laboratories, we regularly conduct tests for heavy metals, including nickel in food.

We provide you with fast and reliable results. Our customer consultants are available to answer any questions you may have.

Sources: 

German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) – https://www.bfr.bund.de 

Link to BfR Statement No. 033/2022: https://www.bfr.bund.de/cm/343/nickel-schaetzung-der-langfristigen-aufnahme-ueber-lebensmittel-auf-grundlage-der-bfr-meal-studie.pdf