Reference method for testing for Cadmium in food

HI ,

Can anyone tell me the reference method for sampling and testing food for cadmium. I have a  French reference NF EN 1528 ICP/MS, but I can't find a meaningful link to it. I have all the relevant EU legislation but it doesn't prescribe the method used. 

I'm talking shellfish .

If you are considering setting this up, you may want to send your samples out.  Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS) requires a specialized piece of equipment.

There appear to be several ways of extracting the material to be tested from the food material, and I don't think it matters what the food is.  The microwave extraction was used for seafood in the British Standards reference  (which you have to pay for to read.)

http://shop.bsigroup...000000030038866

The FDA has their manual of laboratory methods online only (free). 

http://www.fda.gov/F.../ucm2006954.htm

There is a general method for the microwave digestion of the material (used in an example for mercury in seafood)

http://www.fda.gov/d...s/UCM411093.pdf

Here is a section on AAS after microwave digestion.

http://www.fda.gov/F...s/ucm204245.htm

There appear to be multiple standard methods that the FDA accepts.  All appear to be AAS.  It's the best way to analyze for metals.  You may have done it in high school, the flame test in the lab Bunsen burner.  Or, maybe not, they may have stopped letting kids play with fire in the schools since I was in school, lol.

Did you want to set it up, or just reference it?

Martha

I have a client with a problem with a French customer who has found a non-conforming level of Cd in crab. I need to find out how they prepared the sample because if they used viscera this raises the level. The reference they gave was this NF EN 1528 ICP/MS but I can't locate it on the interweb. I'm asking the French sales guy to get me a translated copy... don't hold your breath.....

Hi trubertq,

As per previous post, I have previously used AA, mostly preceded by dry ash ( "incineration" ) which is time convenient and less messy/nasty than wet although it is known that Cd may be lost by volatilization.

Equipment - small fortune involved.

XRF also seems in some "food" use. Probably another financial step up.

This book is old (1993) so I think no mention xrf but quite readable on other methods.Seems fully accessible as google book -

Shellfish and Public Health: Lead, Cadmium, Chromium, Arsenic, and Nickel in Shellfish,  Michael A. Adams (1993)

Hi trubertq,

google icp-ms.

Very high-tech.