Heavy Metals Testing in Food

Ensure food products conform to regulatory limits for heavy metals.

Food contaminated by heavy metals is a major area of concern. Contamination enters the food chain through the environment (soil or water) and their concentration increases due to processes or accumulation in animal and plant tissue. Products that are considered high risk include meat, fish, seafood, root vegetables and grains. Through the complexities of the food supply chain, heavy metals can also be detected in supplements and sports nutrition products.

Most countries around the world now enforce strict maximum permitted limits for elements such as lead, mercury, cadmium and arsenic in plant and animal products and every year they issue multiple alerts and notifications to ensure consumers are protected.

Fit for consumption

We offer a comprehensive range of analytical heavy metal testing services for food products. Our experts use statutory methods and state-of-the-art instrumentation to ensure foods remain fit for consumption. Analysis can be conducted using classical methods based on atomic absorption (AA) or well-established cutting-edge instrumentation, such as ICP-MS, to ensure accurate and sensitive results in line with national regulations.

Our solutions cover the full range of food products, including high risk foods such as meat, fish, seafood, root vegetables and grains. We are also able to detect heavy metals in final products such as food and sports nutrition supplements.

Stay informed on changes to heavy metal regulations

SGS DIGICOMPLY’s ‘restricted substances’ feature provides up to date regulatory information on heavy metals to keep you informed on the latest issues impacting food supply chains.

Why choose heavy metal testing services from SGS?

We are recognized as the benchmark for quality and integrity in the food supply sector. Wherever you operate in the world, our experts can support you with state-of-the-art solutions to ensure ingredients, food products and supplements conform to regulatory requirements.