This paper presents results of heavy metals determination in infant foods available in Poland during a monitoring programme in 2009-13. This study investigated levels of lead, cadmium, arsenic, and mercury in infant formulae and other infant foods intended for consumption during the first 6 to 12 months of life, and an intake of heavy metals was assessed. Food consumption data based on the artificial feeding scheme of infants established by the Mother and Child Institute in Poland were taken into account to estimate dietary exposure. The reported levels of elements in infant foods are comparable with contamination of such products in other countries. The mean values for lead do not exceed 0.013 mg/kg (90 th percentile, 0.028 mg/kg). Lead levels in infant formulae (as sold, mainly powder) did not exceed 0.010 mg/kg, while mean contamination was 0.005 mg/kg. The highest mean cadmium level of 0.010 mg/kg was reported in vegetable meal (90 th percentile, 0.017 mg/kg); in infant formulae (undiluted) milk-based it was below 0.003 mg/kg, and for soya-based it was 0.009 mg/kg. Arsenic and mercury contents -highest in fish-based infant foods -did not exceed 0.18 mg/kg and 0.013 mg/kg, respectively. In rice products for infants arsenic did not exceed 0.14 mg/kg. The estimated mean lead exposure was from 0.09 μg/kg b.w. per day for 6-month-old infants to 0.53 μg/kg b.w. per day for 1-year-old children, which was approximately 17% and equal to the respective Benchmark Dose Lower Confidence Limit (BMDL 01 ) established by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) at 0.50 μg/kg b.w. per day. Mean exposure to cadmium ranges from 0.02 to 0.4 μg/kg b.w. per day, and for 12-month-old infants can slightly exceed the tolerable weekly intake (TWI) value established by EFSA. Dietary cadmium intake represents 2.5-47% of the provisional tolerable monthly intake (PTMI) value established by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee of Food Additives (JECFA). Intake of arsenic and mercury was below respective reference value. Calculated mean dietary exposure to arsenic for children under 1 year old was between 0.11 and 0.99 μg/kg b.w. per day (4-33% BMDL 0.5 value), and to methylmercury 0.01-0.08 μg/kg b.w. per day (7-41% of the TWI value for methylmercury).

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Background. Fruit and fruit products are important part of our daily diet. In addition to the ingredients necessary for the proper functioning of the body, these products can also be a source of intake elements harmful to human health. Objective. Analysis of the results of monitoring studies conducted in Poland in 2015 concerning contamination of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), mercury (Hg) and tin (Sn) in fruit and fruit products and exposure assessment. Material and methods. Approximately 600 samples of fresh, frozen, dried fruits, fruit preserves and canned fruits were tested. The laboratories of State Sanitary Inspection were involved in testing. Accredited and validated analytical methods were used. The test samples were prepared in accordance with the standard PN-EN 13804:2013. The contents of lead, cadmium and tin were determined by using flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) or flameless with electrothermal atomization spectrometry (GFAAS); arsenic by using hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry method (HGAAS) and mercury the "cold vapor" atomic absorption spectrometry (CVAAS) method. Results. Contamination of investigated samples with elements harmful to human health (Pb, Ca, As, Hg and Sn does not rise concern to human health and was in most cases comparable with contamination reported in other European Union countries. The estimated average exposure of adults and children to lead intake with fruit and fruit products ranged from 0.5% to 14.6% of the respective Benchmark Dose Lower Confidence Limit (BMDL) established by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). The mean intake of cadmium with these groups of foodstuffs was in the range 0.3 - 8.5% of the TWI value (Tolerable Weekly Intake) established by EFSA for adults and children (0.1 - 3.6% of the PTMI (Provisional Tolerable Monthly Intake) established by JECFA. In case of arsenic mean intake was in the range 0.5 - 1.6% BMDL whilst for mercury (inorganic form) intake represented 0.5 - 1.4% of TWI value established by JECFA and then confirmed by EFSA. Conclusions. Based on the obtained results, it was found that content of Pb, Cd, As, Hg and Sn in the tested samples of fruit and their products does not pose a risk to consumer health. Estimated exposure of consumers does not exceed tolerable doses established by EFSA and JECFA for these elements.

Background. One of the important source of food contamination with elements harmful to human health such as lead or cadmium is migration from the articles intended to come into contact with food. Ceramic and glass articles can also be a source of zinc and copper which compounds are used during the production process of vessels. Objective. Determination of migration of lead, cadmium, zinc and copper from ceramic and glass wares available on the market in Poland and assessment of consumer exposure to these elements. Material and methods. Ceramic and glass articles which were available on the retail market and mainly produced in China were tested for release of lead, cadmium, zinc and copper. Samples for testing were prepared in accordance with European Standards: EN 1388-1 and EN 1388-2 and the migration of elements into a food simulant (4% acetic acid) was measured using flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). Validated and accredited methods according to EN ISO/ IEC 17025:2005 meeting the criteria set in the legislation were applied. Exposure assessment was performed taking into account actual reference doses introduced by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA). Results. 736 samples of ceramic and glass wares were tested. Among investigated samples for migration of lead 82% of results were below limit of quantification (LOQ = 0.1 mg/L) of the analytical method used. For cadmium zinc and copper results below LOQ were found in 94%, 79% and 100% tested samples, respectively (Cd LOQ = 0.01mg/L; Zn LOQ = 0.05 mg/L; Cu LOQ = 0.03 mg/L). Only one sample release lead in amount higher than limit set in Polish Standard PN-B-13210:1997, it was rim of the glass mug and migration value was 4.81 mg/article. In case of cadmium there were two samples which exceeded permissible migration limit, it was flat ceramic dish and the rim of the glass mug, migration values were: 0.14 mg/dm 2 and 0.42 mg/article respectively. The most measurable results (above LOQ) in case of lead and cadmium were for the samples of ceramic and glass drinking vessels. Quantifiable amounts of zinc were found also in other groups of articles tested: flat and deep ceramic dishes. None of the tested articles released copper in amount higher than LOQ value. The risk assessment showed that lead and cadmium exposure for some of the samples far exceed the reference doses. For children, assuming a single use only of these vessels, these doses may be exceeded: in the case of lead, 69 times and in the case of cadmium, 8 times. Conclusions. It is the urgent need to introduce requirements into the applicable legislation for the rim area of drinking ceramic and glass vessels to reduce exposure especially by the most vulnerable groups of population such as children.

Background. Cereal grains and their products are among the basic components of the diet all over the world. Their consumption varies depending on the dietary habits in each country. Apart from ingredients valuable from a health point of view, these products can also be a source of contaminants. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) included these foodstuffs in the group of main contributors to the dietary exposure to nickel by different groups of the population. Objective. The aim of the studies was to determine the nickel content in cereal grains and selected cereal products commercially available in Poland and to assess the exposure of consumers to nickel intake with these foodstuffs. Material and methods. A total of 56 samples of cereal grain and cereal products from trade were tested. Nickel content was determined after microwave mineralization of the samples by atomic absorption spectrometry with a graphite furnace atomization (GFAAS). The estimated exposure for the different groups of the population was assessed and compared with the Tolerable Daily Intake (TDI) value established by the European Food Safety Authority based on an updated risk assessment at 13 μg/kg body weight (b.w.) per day. Results. The mean (MB) and 95th percentile (MB) nickel content in investigated samples of cereal grains and their products were 0.66 mg/kg and 1.93 mg/kg. The mean content of Ni in the analyzed samples of grains was 1.16 mg/kg. Obtained results in this group of products ranged from 0.10 mg/kg for rye to 4.80 mg/kg for millet. In the group of grain products, the mean (MB) concentration of nickel was 0.61 mg/kg (95th percentile (MB) 1.84 mg/kg). The highest nickel level was determined in the samples of bran, groats, and flakes compared to other grain-based products. The highest content of Ni in the group of cereal products was found in the samples of roasted buckwheat 1.81 mg/kg and oat flakes 2.53 mg/kg. Significantly lower nickel content was observed in barley groats as well as for pasta and flour. The estimated average exposure of adults and children to nickel intake with grains and grain-based products ranged from 1.1% to 13.4% of TDI and it does not pose a health risk for consumers. Conclusions. Based on the obtained results, it was found that the nickel content in the tested samples of cereals and their products does not pose a health risk, even though the contamination of individual samples was significant.

According to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), food is the main source of nickel intake by the general population. Based on the risk assessment, EFSA determined the tolerable daily intake of this element (TDI) from all sources at the level of 2.8 μg/kg body weight, which is for an adult 196 μg, while for a child 56 μg. The Benchmark Dose Lower Confidence Limit (BMDL10) associated with dermatitis at 1.1 μg/kg body weight was also determined as well as the Margin of Exposure (MOE). Nickel intake in the Member States varies and depends on consumption habits. CONTAM Panel of EFSA considered the unlikely possibility of developing cancers related to the intake of nickel with food. According to experts, other harmful effects on the human body are more often identified. An additional aspect requiring further investigations that will allow an actual estimation of exposure associated with intake of this element by various groups of population is the issue of nickel absorption in the human body. The review of the EFSA opinion on the request of the European Commission planned in the near future based on the collected data as part of the action of the Commission Recommendation (EU) 2016/1111 on monitoring the presence of nickel in food will contribute to taking appropriate actions related to consumer protection, including the most vulnerable groups of population.

Background. According to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), vegetable and vegetable products can significantly contribute to dietary nickel intake. Consumption of vegetable across European Union can vary significantly and depends on consumption habits in individual Member States. Toxicity of Ni is dependent on the chemical form, the route of exposure and solubility of nickel compounds. Objectives. Determination of nickel content in commercially available vegetables and vegetable products and assessment of consumer exposure to Ni intake with these groups of foodstuffs. Materials and methods. 66 samples of vegetables and their products were analysed for nickel content. Nickel was determined after microwave mineralization of samples by atomic absorption spectrometry with a graphite furnace atomization (GFAAS). Nitric acid and perhydrol were used for the mineralization of the samples. The estimated exposure for adults and children was compared with the tolerable daily intake (TDI -Tolerable Daily Intake) set by the European Food Safety Authority at 2.8 μg /kg body weight (b.w.) per day. Results. Mean (MB-middle bound) Ni content from all investigated vegetable samples was 0.09 mg/kg (95th percentile MB 0.23 mg/kg). In vegetable products, mean Ni concentration was 0.191 mg/kg (95th percentile: 0.67 mg/kg). The highest nickel level was determined in the sample of roman lettuce (0.32 mg/kg), whereas lowest contamination was observed in the sample of onion (0.04 mg/kg). Contamination of investigated fruiting and leaf vegetable with nickel was slightly higher than root and bulb vegetables. The estimated average adults exposure to nickel from vegetable taking into account maximum absorption was 4.8% of TDI and 16.8% of TDI and does not pose a health risk. Exposure to nickel from vegetable products was 1.9% and 6.8% TDI, respectively. Conclusions. Obtained results demonstrate that dietary nickel intake from vegetables and their products do not constitute a significant health threat to consumers in Poland.

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