Heavy metals are found naturally in the earth crust. They contaminate the food chain primarily during the cultivation of crops but also during the production process. While some metals are essential for human health (e.g. zinc, iron or copper), in high doses they may cause acute or chronical toxicities. A long-term exposure to heavy metals has carcinogenic effects and damage the central nervous and circulatory systems. 

Our accredited laboratories determine heavy metals using modern instrumentation ICP-MS (Inductively Coupled Plasma – Mass Spectrometry), an ultra-trace analytical technique for determination of trace amounts of elements. This method allows to detect almost all elements of the periodic table, from lithium to uranium in units down to ng/l. 

Due to their potential health risk, the concentration of heavy metals is monitored and regulated by both EU and national legislations. At the EU level, the limits are set by the Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1881/2006 of 19 December 2006, setting maximum levels for certain contaminants in foodstuffs.

What ALS can offer?

• Determination of wide range of metals
  • ​Heavy metals Pb, Cd, Hg, As
  • Metals Fe, Zn, Ni, Cr, etc.
  • Minerals Ca, P, Mg, Na, Fe, Cu, Se, K, etc.
• To help our clients meet the legislative requirements

Apart from the state-of-the-art facilities, we offer:

• Evaluation of the results by our highly skilled professionals
• Rapid turnaround
• GMP+ protocol for feed

For further enquiries please contact our customer service at
+420 226 226 998 or czsupport.food@alsglobal.com.

Heavy Metals  leaflet to download