1 Scope
This document specifies a procedure for the determination of Ag, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu,
Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Se, Tl, U and Zn in foodstuffs by inductively coupled plasma mass
spectrometry (ICP-MS) after pressure digestion.
The following foodstuffs were analysed for the elements listed in Table 1 in an interlaboratory study: Banana (deep-frozen), Cocoa powder, Wheat noodle powder,
Currant nectar (deep-frozen), Milk powder, Oyster (dried), Celery (dried), Dogfish
liver (dried), Liver (deep-frozen), Kale (dried).
Table 1
—
Validated rangea
| Element |
Mass fraction
mg/kg
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Lower range | Upper range | |
| Arsenic | 0,02 | 36,6 |
| Lead | 0,004 | 0,58 |
| Cadmium | 0,006 | 15,2 |
| Chromium | 0,06 | 5,71 |
| Cobalt | 0,03 | 7,49 |
| Copper | 0,71 | 74,0 |
| Manganese | 0,31 | 73,5 |
| Molybdenum | 0,05 | 1,88 |
| Nickel | 0,11 | 11,0 |
| Selenium | 0,06 | 8,70 |
| Silver | 0,011 | 1,98 |
| Thallium | 0,008 | 0,12 |
| Uranium | 0,003 | 0,26 |
| Zinc | 1,8 | 1 582 |
a
Table 1 lists the ranges analysed in the interlaboratory study, indicating for each element
the lowest and highest content found in the ten analysed food matrices (see Annex B, Table B.1 to Table B.14).
The lower limit of the procedure’s range varies depending on the food matrix and the food’s water content. It is a laboratory-specific value and is specified by the laboratory for each element when calculating the limit of quantification (see 9.2).
The lower limit of the procedure’s range varies depending on the food matrix and the food’s water content. It is a laboratory-specific value and is specified by the laboratory for each element when calculating the limit of quantification (see 9.2).