Hostname: page-component-76fb5796d-45l2p Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-04-25T15:04:32.164Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Heavy metal contamination of animal feedstuffs – a new survey

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 May 2017

S. Elliott ,
A. Frio  and
T. Jarman
S. Elliott*
Affiliation:
Alltech Inc, Nicholasville, KYUSA
A. Frio
Affiliation:
First Ten Consulting, Manila, Philippines
T. Jarman
Affiliation:
Alltech Inc, Nicholasville, KYUSA
*
*Corresponding author: selliott@alltech.com
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Summary

Contamination of feedstuffs and ingredients with heavy metals poses a major problem for animal health and the transmission of toxic substances within the human food chain, as these elements can be accumulated into meat, egg and milk products. This paper reports on the levels of the three metals, arsenic, cadmium and lead, that exceed EU permitted levels, within premixes and complete feeds (total of 3417 samples) destined for a variety of animal species and taken from different countries during the period 2009–2016. For this period, 20% of all samples were contaminated at levels above the EU limit. In complete feed, ruminants were at the highest risk of exposure with 47% of samples being contaminated. Lead posed the major risk for minerals and cadmium posed the highest risk for premixes during the sampling period. When compared by country, contamination levels varied widely, with the highest contamination determined for Canada with 50% of samples being above the EU limit. To mitigate problems with heavy metals in animal feeds, due diligence in terms of sampling and testing is a necessary tool to evaluate level of risk. Research has shown that trace minerals can be sources of these heavy metals so the industry should be more diligent regarding their provider's quality guarantees. In addition, feeds identified with contamination should not be fed to animals to ensure that these heavy metal toxins are not passed into edible food products, thus providing safety in the food chain.

Keywords

Heavy metalscontaminationanimal feedstuffs
Type
Original Research
Information
Journal of Applied Animal Nutrition , Volume 5 , 2017 , e8
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press and Journal of Applied Animal Nutrition Ltd. 2017 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Atafar, Z., Mesdaghinia, A., Nouri, J., Homaee, M., Yunesian, M., Ahmadimoghaddam, M. and Hossein Mahvi, A. (2010) Effect of fertiliser application on soil heavy metal concentration. Environmetal Monitoring Assessment 160: 83–89.Google Scholar
Bethune, C. (2006) Norwegian farmed salmon production raises global concern. Available at http://environmentalchemistry.com/yogi/environmental/200605norwegiansalmon.html Google Scholar
EC European Commission. (2002) Directive 2002/32/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 7 May 2002 on undesirable substances in animal feed.Google Scholar
EC European Commission. (2003) Opinion of the scientific committee on animal nutrition on undesirable substances in feed. Brussels, European Commission of Health and Consumer Protection Directorate.Google Scholar
EC European Commission. 2006. Update and follow up on recent contamination cases, dioxin in animal fat and cadmium in zinc sulphate originating from China. Summary of Minutes of the Meeting of the Standing Committee on Food Chain and Animal Health. Pp. 5.Google Scholar
Farmer, A.A. and Farmer, A.M. (2000) Concentrations of cadmium, lead and zinc in livestock feed and organs around a metal production centre in Eastern Kazakhstan. Science of the Total Environment 2571: 53–60.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Fisher, M. (2015) https://www.soils.org/discover-soils/story/study-examines-factors-affecting-cadmium-uptake-new-zealand-pastures accessed 21/06/15 Google Scholar
Hsueh, Y.M., Cheng, G.S., Wu, M.M., Yu, H.S., Kuo, T.L. and Chen, C.J. (1995) Multiple risk factors associated with arsenic-induced skin cancer: effects of chronic liver disease and malnutritional status. British Journal of Cancer 71: 109–114 Google Scholar
Kan, C.A. and Meijer, G.A.L. (2007) The risk of contamination of food with toxic substances present in animal feed. Animal Feed Science and Technology 133: 84–108.Google Scholar
Kreuzer, W., Bunzl, K. and Kracke, W. (1981) Zum Übergan von cadmium aus dem Futter in Nieren. Lebern and Muskulatur von Slachtrindern. Fleischwirtschaft 6112: 1886–1894.Google Scholar
Lewis, D.R., Southwick, J.W., Ouellet-Hellstrom, R., Rench, J. and Calderon, R.L. (1999) Drinking water arsenic in Utah: a cohort mortality study. Environmental Health Perspectives 107: 359–365.Google Scholar
Li, Y-X. and Chen, T-B. (2005) Concentrations of Arsenic in Beijing pig feeds and the residues in pig manure. Resources, Conservation and Recycling 45: 356–367.Google Scholar
Lubin, J.H. and Fraumeni, J.F. Jr (2000) Does arsenic exposure increase the risk for circulatory disease?. American Journal of Epidemiology, 152: 290–293.Google Scholar
Spragg, J. (2008) Stock Feed Manufacturers’ Council of Australia Members Notice Zinc Oxide and Lead Contamination Update.Google Scholar
Tao, S.S. and Bolger, P.M. (1999) Dietary arsenic intakes in the United States: FDA Total Diet Study, September 1991–December 1996. Food Additives & Contaminates 16: 465–472.Google Scholar
Vreman, K., van der Veen, N.G., van der Molen, E.J. and de Ruig, W.G. (1986) Transfer of cadmium, lead, mercury and arsenic from feed into milk and various tissues, chemical and pathological data. Netherlands Journal of Agricultural Science 34: 129–144.Google Scholar