Plain Language Summary of the Risk assessment of small organoarsenic species in food

Abstract

Risk assessment of small organoarsenic species in foodBackground to the risk assessment• Risk managers need advice on the safety of food contaminants, such as arsenic, to establish maximum levels in foods that can be present without causing adverse health effects. • Small organoarsenic species are compounds that contain methyl groups, but no other organic groups, bound to arsenic. Monomethylarsonic acid V (MMA(V)) and dimethylarsinic acid V (DMA(V)) are the most abundant of these compounds in food. The highest concentrations are found in rice, algae and seafood. • In 2009, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain (CONTAM Panel) assessed the risks to human health related to the presence of arsenic in food. • Because of a lack of data in 2009, EFSA only evaluated the risks for inorganic arsenic but could not assess the risks of small organoarsenic species or complex organoarsenic species such as arsenobetaine, arsenosugars or arsenolipids.