Contaminants: consultation on new MLs for cadmium, inorganic arsenic, iodine and lead in seaweed

The Commission published a targeted stakeholder consultation regarding suggested possible maximum levels for cadmium, inorganic arsenic, iodine and lead in seaweed. There are currently no MLs established for these substances in seaweed, except for the ML established under this Regulation for cadmium in food supplements consisting exclusively or mainly of seaweed or products derived from seaweed. In view of the occurrence of these heavy metals in seaweed and in view of the various health risks, which were identified by EFSA for these metals,, the Commission recommended Member States by means of Recommendation (EU) 2018/464 to analyse in 2018, 2019 and 2020 arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury in seaweed and halophytes.

For iodine the Scientific Committee for Food established in 2002 a tolerable upper intake level (UL) for iodine intake. As seaweed can contain high concentrations of iodine, also occurrence data for iodine were gathered under the Recommendation.

In 2023 EFSA published its scientific report on the dietary exposure to heavy metals and iodine via the consumption of seaweed and halophytes in the European population. EFSA concluded that the consumption of seaweed can lead to a significantly increased exposure to metals, for which the intake from a diet without seaweed already exceeds the health-based guidance values. Furthermore, it can lead to high iodine intakes, which can lead to exceeding the established upper limit value. Therefore, MLs are proposed for metals and iodine in seaweed, which will help to reduce the overall consumer exposure. This measure will help to ensure a high level of human health protection.

Suggested MLs:

These MLs would apply for dry seaweed the maximum level applies to the product as placed on the market. For fresh seaweed the maximum level applies on a dry matter basis

Lead (mg/kg)

Brown seaweed (Ochrophyta) 1.5

Laver / Nori (Porphyra, Pyropia spp.) 0.50

Red seaweed (other than nori) 2.0

Green seaweed (Chlorophyta) 2.0

Cadmium (mg/kg)

Brown seaweed 3.0

Red & green seaweed 4.0

Inorganic Arsenic (mg/kg)

Brown & green seaweed 1.0

Red seaweed 0.50

Iodine (g/kg)

All seaweed (consumer or ingredient) 1.0 g/kg

Draft: MLs metals and iodine in seaweed - stakeholder consultation