Summary

The Monitoring Scheme is a system of repeated representative measurements and evaluations of levels of substances undesirable from a health point of view, such as residues of plant protection products, pesticides, heavy metals, mycotoxins and other contaminants in and on foodstuffs, cosmetics and daily use products.

In line with the General Administrative Provision (AVV) for the 2010 Monitoring Scheme , the following foodstuffs, daily use products and cosmetics from the population’s representative market basket were examined (market basket monitoring):

Food of animal origin

• Milk
• Venison (meat)
• Pork (meat)

Food of plant origin

• Apple
• Pineapple
• Strawberry
• Grapefruit
• Raspberry
• Kiwi fruit
• Kohlrabi
• Head lettuce
• Peach/nectarine
• Plum
• Leek
• Rhubarb
• Rye grains
• Beetroot/beetroot juice
• Sunflower oil
• Asparagus
• Tomato
• White cabbage
• Zucchini

Commodities (Toys)

• Building bricks game
• Toy train
• Doll (tin toy)
• Toy airplane
• Wooden building set
• Play shop with equipment
• Toy car
• Rattle, grip toys
• Boat
• Shape sorting toy
• Wooden pull toys
  

Cosmetics

• Baby powder
• Toothpaste for children
• Powder eye shadow, powder make-up, powder rouge

Depending on what undesirable substances were to be expected, the foods were analysed for residues of plant protection products and contaminants (for instance, persistent organo-chlorine compounds, musk compounds, elements, nitrate, and mycotoxins). Cosmetic products were tested for element contents, and toys for release of elements. The collection of data will be complemented by analogous programmes including other products in the next two years.

In addition to market basket monitoring, the following specific subjects were examined in foods, in order to obtain particular information for risk assessment, or just to survey particular topical problems. This part of the programme is called “project monitoring”.

• Residues of plant protection products in tea
• Ergot alkaloids in rye flour and rye bruised grain
• Aflatoxins and ochratoxin A in dried figs
• Dioxins, PCB and other contaminants in freshwater fish
• Estragole in fennel tea and extracts of fennel tea

Interpretation of findings included a comparison with findings from previous years, where this was possible. Yet, we explicitly stress that all statements and evaluation about presence of undesirable substances made in this report solely refer to the products and substances or substance groups analysed in 2010. It is not possible to assess the overall exposure to certain substances, because only part of the market basket can be considered in the analyses of one year, while the substances analysed also occur in other foodstuffs.

Generally, the findings of the 2010 food monitoring programme again support the recommendation that nutrition should be manifold and balanced in order to minimise the dietary intake of undesirable substances which is, to some degree, unavoidable.

In total, 6811 samples of products produced at home and abroad were analysed in the framework of market basket and project monitoring, including 5690 samples of foodstuffs, 557 samples of cosmetic products, and 564 samples of daily use products.
In detail, findings were as follows:

1. Foodstuffs

Residues of plant protection products and pesticides

Foodstuffs of animal origin

Only 14% of the pork analysed and about 40% of the samples of milk and venison contained residues of plant protection products or pesticides. Permitted maximum residue levels (MRL) were not exceeded. As in many other foodstuffs of animal origin, most of the residues found stemmed from ubiquitous, persistent organo-chlorine compounds, which used to be applied a lot and which have entered the food chain via environmental contamination. The residues did not mean an acute risk to the health of consumers.

Nearly all samples of wild freshwater fish showed residues of organo-chlorine compounds. Most compounds were found only in low concentrations. Still, four out of 38 samples of eel (10.5%) exceeded the MRL for mirex, four out of 83 eel samples (4.8%) exceeded the MRL for hexachlorobenzene, and one out of 83 eel samples (1.2%) exceeded the MRL for lindane. Findings in other fish containing less fat showed only one case of non-compliance with MRL - a sample of barbel (a carp fish) which exceeded the MRL of bromocyclene.

Foodstuffs of plant origin

Residues of plant protection products were found to different degrees in all foodstuffs of plant origin analysed therefor.

Among the foods analysed in the framework of market basket monitoring, kohlrabi, rhubarb, beetroot, asparagus, and the processed foods beetroot juice and sunflower oil did not carry quantifiable residues in more than 71%. Neither did 50% of the kiwi, rye grains, and zucchini samples. Pineapple, apple, strawberries, grapefruit, raspberries, head lettuce, peaches/nectarines, leek, and tomatoes had the highest portions of samples with quantifiable residues, reaching from 78% to 97%. These foodstuffs also had the samples with the highest number of multiple residue findings. The highest number of findings was 15 substances, each in one sample of head lettuce and one of peaches.

Two per cent of food samples from domestic production gave rise to suspicion of unauthorised use of plant protection products, mostly in plums and head lettuce.

Examinations of apples, rhubarb, rye grains, beetroot juice, asparagus, and white cabbage did not produce any non-compliance with MRLs in 2010. Apart from in head lettuce (5.7%) and in raspberries (4.4%), non-compliance rates in all other food products tested ranged between 0.7 and 3.8% of samples. As in the year before, the rate of non-compliance in samples from domestic production was, with 0.9%, markedly lower than in samples from production of other EU countries (2.9%) or from third countries (3.3%).

A potential of acute health effects was seen with residue findings of ethephon in one sample of pineapple and three samples of tomatoes, propargit in three samples of peaches or nectarines, dithiocarbamates in two samples of head lettuce, cyanophos in one sample of nectarines, and heptachlor in one sample of zucchini. In this context, it is necessary to review the legal MRL of propargit in peaches/nectarines.

All other residue findings, including those higher than legal MRLs, did not mean any practical health risk to consumers.

Findings of the monitoring project “Residues of plant protection products in tea” showed again that leaves of unfermented (green) tea (Camellia sinensis) carry slightly more residues than leaves of fermented (black) tea. The percentages of samples with residues above MRLs were 6.3% in green tea and 1.9% in black tea, and thus lower than in 2006 (13.8% and 2.3%, respectively). In total, 95 samples of green tea leaves and 163 samples of black tea leaves were analysed. 39 additional analyses of tea infusions indicated that the actual beverage hardly contains residues. No residues were actually detected in the infusions.

Persistent organo-chlorine compounds

Dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are to be found, in general, everywhere in the environment in small amounts. This leads to some unavoidable, so-called background contamination, also in foodstuffs. Monitoring findings showed very low levels of contamination with non-dioxin-like PCBs (ndl-PCBs) in the foodstuffs analysed. In this context, the EU regulatory committee decided, on 04 July 2011, on EU-wide establishment of harmonised maximum levels for ndl-PCBs in foodstuffs. The harmonised EU maximum levels shall be valid from 01 January 2012. Until that date, levels established by the National Regulations on Contaminants are valid.

Wild freshwater fish often showed contamination levels higher than the EU maximum level of the sum of dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs (dl-PCBs). Namely, this was the case in about 50% of samples of eel, and in 22.4% of carp species fish. The median of concentrations found in eel samples was already near the permitted maximum level. Non-compliance with maximum levels in eel and carp fish species was largely owing to dl-PCBs. According to an opinion published by the Federal Institute of Risk Assessment (BfR) , the tolerable weekly intake (TWI) of dioxins and dl-PCBs can be exceeded with habitual consumption of freshwater fish, in particular eel. All samples of pike, bass, perch and salmon-like fish complied with the established maximum level of total dioxins and dl-PCBs. As regards the maximum levels of ndl PCBs, one eel sample, out of a total of 83 samples, exceeded the maximum level of PCB 52, and two of the samples the maximum level of PCB 153 (these were 1.2% and 2.4% of eel samples, respectively). The Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU) recommends anglers and their families to inquire about the contamination of fish in the various river sections at the competent state authorities.

Highly volatile chlorinated hydrocarbons

Sunflower oil did not contain any quantifiable residues of trichloromethane (chloroform), tetrachloroethane, or trichloroethene. Trichloroethene and tetrachlororethene were only found in one sample of milk either. Chloroform, in contrast, was found in nearly every third milk sample, but without exceeding the permitted maximum level. Also, the sum of chloroform, tetrachloroethene, and trichloroethene did not exceed the total permitted maximum level.

BTEX (aromatic hydrocarbons)

There were no positive findings of benzene and ethyl benzene in sunflower oil. Xylene and styrene were quantifiable in only a few samples. Toluene was the aromatic hydrocarbon most frequently quantified in sunflower oil, with concentrations of up to 18 µg/kg. BTEX findings in sunflower oil mostly confirmed the findings of the 2006 monitoring. Only toluene had more quantifiable findings in 2010 than in 2006.

Perfluorinated compounds (PFC)

In the framework of monitoring wild freshwater fish, perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) was quantified in all samples of pike, in 71% of eel samples, in 66% of samples of carp-like fish, and 4.3% of samples of salmon-like fish. Median concentrations were around 5 µg/kg in all kinds of fish analysed. Still, the contamination of carp fish and eel with PFOS is critical, given the fact that the BfR orientation value of 20 µg/kg was exceeded in nine samples (26%) of carp fish, and eleven eel samples (14%). The maximum concentrations found were 60 µg/kg in eel, and 70 µg/kg in carp fish. Out of all other substances of the spectrum of perfluorinated compounds, only perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) was found in 5% of the eel samples.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE)

Among the group of PBDE, the most frequently found in wild freshwater fish was BDE-47. This occurred in all samples of salmon-like fish, in 47% of carp fish samples, and in 28% of eel samples. Salmon-like fish contained, apart from BDE-47, also considerable amounts of BDE-99, BDE-100, BDE-153, and BDE-154. These were found in more than 80% of the salmon-like fish, while the share of samples with quantifiable contents in carp fish was less than 50%, and even lower in eels. The concentrations of other PBDE congeners were mostly below the analytic limit of determination.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH)

Contamination of sunflower oil with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) was found to be low. Only one of the 86 samples of sunflower oil analysed in the 2010 monitoring did not comply with the maximum level allowed for benzo(a)pyrene. Accordingly, routine surveillance of PAH concentrations in sunflower oil seems to be sufficient.

The differences in degree to which the various PAH substances are measurable justify plans to extend maximum level regulations of Regulation (EC) No. 1881/2006 to the major four PAH substances. A relevant amendment to Regulation 1881/2006 is expected in the course of 2011.

Nitro musk compounds/polycyclic musk compounds

The nitro musk compounds musk ketone and musk xylene were not found in milk. In sunflower oil, musk ketone was quantified in one sample, while musk xylene was not found. These findings have confirmed earlier observations gained in the course of monitoring other foodstuffs that the contamination of foodstuffs with nitro-musk compounds has decreased.

Apart from musk xylene and musk ketone, which were the majority of findings, findings in wild freshwater fish included the polycyclic musk compounds HHCB, and ATTN. With the exception of the average concentration of HHCB in carp fish, which was 3.0 µg/kg, the average concentrations of the four musk compounds mentioned here were below 0.3 µg/kg.

Organo-tin compounds

Among this substance group, tributyl tin (TBT) showed the highest average concentrations found in wild freshwater fish. TBT was quantified in all samples of carp fish species, and in about 70% of eel samples. Regarding all other organo-tin compounds, sample portions with quantifiable findings were always below 20%.

Mycotoxins

Aflatoxins, ochratoxin A, deoxynivalenol, zearalenone

Contamination of rye grains with ochratoxin A (OTA) and zearalenone (ZEA) is low. Still it is considered necessary to periodically monitor rye grains for contamination with OTA.
Compared with previous years, rye grains tended towards higher contamination with deoxynivalenol (DON) again. Given the fact that rye as a basic for bread and bakery wares is a basic foodstuff in Germany, and that about a third of the rye grain samples analysed under the 2010 monitoring scheme again had quantifiable DON loads – while none was above the established maximum level – DON in rye should also be a subject of future monitoring schemes.

Contamination of dried figs with aflatoxins and OTA was found low. More analyses in the framework of food monitoring are only recommended in the case of adverse influences or developments, such as poor harvest quality or increased number of non-compliant samples found in import controls.

Ergot alkaloids

Type 997 and type 1150 rye flour, rye wholemeal flour and crushed rye grain were analysed again for ergot alkaloids in the framework of the 2010 monitoring. 13 out of 30 known ergot alkaloids were found. The relevance of ergot alkaloid contents found in rye flour and rye bruised grain during the 2008-2010 monitoring programmes for health protection of consumers can currently not be assessed, as toxicological data are not yet sufficient for this purpose. Considering the orientation value of 1000 µg/kg (total ergot alkaloid content), one can state that concentrations in 98% of samples analysed during the 2008-2010 period did not exceed this level.

Estragole

All beverages on fennel basis analysed for estragole had contents below the maximum level of 10 mg/kg agreed for non-alcoholic beverages. However, this maximum level, which is fixed in Part B of Annex 3 to Regulation (EC) No. 1334/2008, does not hold for tea-like products, such as herbal or fruit teas/infusions, and therefore serves only as a rough orientation for fennel tea. The highest level was found in a fennel tea extract (instant product) with 4.30 mg/l, while as a whole, estragole levels in instant products were mostly low or even not measurable. Still, given the fact that estragole has been classified as carcinogenic and mutagenic, and given special sensitivity of one of the main consumer groups of fennel tea (babies and infants), efforts to further minimise estragole contamination by even more careful selection of raw materials should continue.

Nitrate

Nitrate contents in head lettuce have not decreased, compared to findings in earlier monitoring programmes. The recommendation for appropriate measures to reduce nitrate contents is therefore kept up. Kohlrabi, beetroot and beetroot juice, and zucchini contain relatively high levels, which should be reason to further monitor these products.
Nitrate levels in asparagus have remained at the same low level as in the previous analysis.

Elements

Lead

Among the foodstuffs of animal origin examined in 2010, venison showed higher concentrations of lead than milk and pork, as regards the median and maximum values. The maximum of 8.4 mg/kg found in venison is probably attributable to lead ammunition used in hunting. The BfR has recommended that sensitive consumer groups, namely pregnant women/nursing mothers and infants, should reduce game meat consumption to reduce their exposure to lead.

The tendency of lead levels in rhubarb should continue to be monitored, also against the background of planned revision of maximum levels set by Regulation (EC) No. 1881/2006.
Asparagus and plums showed a clear reduction of median levels, compared to 1998, when they were examined last time.

Lead contents in beetroot, zucchini, raspberry, and kiwi – all foods which were analysed for lead for the first time in 2010 – were not conspicuous compared with other food categories, and were low, as a whole.

Analyses of wild freshwater fish in the framework of a monitoring project showed that contamination with lead was not critical from a food law point of view. The legal maximum level was not exceeded.

Cadmium

Foods of animal origin tested for Cadmium in 2010 (milk, venison and pork) showed only low contamination levels.

Cadmium contents in kohlrabi, asparagus, plums, and rhubarb were at the same low level as findings in the years before. Contamination of vegetal foodstuffs which were tested for the first time in 2010 – sunflower oil, raspberries, zucchini, and kiwi fruit – was also low.

Beetroot showed an accumulation of cadmium typical of root vegetables. The development of cadmium levels in this vegetable species should continue to be monitored.

Analyses of wild freshwater fish in the framework of a monitoring project showed that contamination with cadmium was not critical from a food law point of view. Legal maximum levels were not exceeded.

Mercury

As regards the foodstuffs analysed for mercury in 2010, there are no findings from previous monitoring programmes which are suitable for comparison.

Contamination of milk, venison and pork with mercury was low. Mercury concentrations in three samples of German pork that did not comply with the maximum level pursuant to Regulation (EC) No. 396/2005 indicate a particular punctual source of contamination.

Mercury concentrations in the vegetal foodstuffs asparagus, zucchini, and beetroot, which were analysed for mercury for the first time in the framework of the food monitoring programme, were low. The maximum level of mercury fixed by Regulation (EC) No. 396/2005 was only exceeded in one sample of beetroot from the Netherlands.

Analyses of wild freshwater fish in the framework of a monitoring project showed that contamination with mercury was not critical from a food law point of view. Legal maximum levels were not exceeded.

Copper

In the foods of animal origin, the median values of copper concentrations ranged between 0.08 mg/kg (milk) and 1.5 mg/kg (venison). The median concentrations in foodstuffs of plant origin ranged from 0.134 mg/kg in sunflower oil to 1.48 mg/kg in kiwi fruit. Established maximum levels were not exceeded in the foodstuffs analysed in 2010.

Aluminium

As regards the foodstuffs analysed for aluminium in 2010, there are no findings from previous monitoring programmes which are suitable for comparison. The medians of aluminium contents ranged from 0.2 mg/kg in milk to 0.87 mg/kg in rhubarb.

Aluminium findings in beetroot, rhubarb, asparagus and raspberries were attributed to aluminium accumulation in the soil. The findings should give reason to further monitor the development of aluminium levels in these foodstuffs.

Arsenic

Apart from rhubarb, the foodstuffs of the 2010 monitoring were all analysed for arsenic for the first time in the framework of that programme. Rhubarb showed a marked decline in arsenic contents compared to last time’s findings.

Median concentration values in milk, venison and pork ranged between 0.1 mg/kg and 0.02 mg/kg, and were thus on a low level.

Most of vegetal foodstuffs analysed during the 2010 monitoring showed very low contamination levels, with median values of 0.005 mg/kg or less. Only the median concentrations in kiwi and plums were slightly higher than in the other vegetal foods.

The Expert Panel on Industrial and Environmental Contaminants has discussed introduction of legal maximum levels for total/inorganic arsenic contents in some categories of foodstuffs since 2010. The monitoring data could serve as a basis for decision in discussions on European level.

Nickel

Sunflower oil, kohlrabi, and asparagus were analysed for nickel in the framework of the monitoring programme for the first time in 2010. Contamination levels in these three foodstuffs were low, and the findings did not give rise to further investigations, apart from routine surveillance.

2. Daily use products

Elements

Monitoring tests into the migration (release) of lead, cadmium, mercury, arsenic, antimony, barium, chromium, nickel, and selenium from varnish coats of various toys showed that, apart from barium, release of these elements did by far not reach the migration limits set by the agreed standard DIN EN 71-3. That means that much lower limits are feasible with Good Manufacturing Practice. However, the limits for release of lead and chromium were clearly exceeded in some single samples. Directive 2009/48/EC of the European Parliament and the Council of 18 July 2009 on toy safety, which will be valid from 20 July 2013, plans considerably higher limits for migration of certain elements from abrasive toys. The competent bodies of the European Commission, however, are currently discussing to reduce some of the migration values, namely for lead and cadmium. The findings of the 2010 monitoring would not justify raising migration limits either.

3. Cosmetic products

Elements

The first analyses of cosmetic products in the framework of the monitoring programme focussed on determining lead and cadmium contents, and, as an option, contents of mercury and arsenic in some products selected out of the huge range of skin care, beauty, and mouth and teeth care products. The aim is to collect topical data to derive orientation values for technically unavoidable contents of these elements in the raw materials used for cosmetic products. To assess findings, we used both legal purity requirements and recommendations formerly published by the Federal Health Office (BGA).

The purity requirements refer to the colouring agents or pigments used in a cosmetic product. The limits established with the purity requirements cannot be directly used to assess concentrations measured in the cosmetic products, because the actual contents of colouring agents in the products are not known. Still, the findings showed that non-compliance with limits for lead, cadmium, and mercury cannot be excluded in some samples.

As regards the limits established by the BGA recommendations, one can state that measured contents did by far not reach these limits, apart from the contents in two samples which exceeded the BGA recommended limit for lead and in one sample which exceeded the mercury recommended limit. In conclusion, it is possible to clearly lower the recommended limits, possibly also depending on product groups. The present data did not indicate that certain dyes or pigments were more contaminated than others.