cadmium, nickel and mercury in foodstuffs of animal origin is ensured by an operational plan aiming at risk identification and the quantification and characterisation of the hazards related to trace metals found in foods.

In 2014, several surveillance and control plans (targeted sampling) as well as an exploratory plan were implemented to monitor trace metals (lead, cadmium, mercury and methylmercury) in foodstuffs. These plans generated 6,908 analyses in various matrices (fish products, livestock products, milk, game, poultry, rabbits and honey). Processing of the results showed a completion rate of 99.3% and a rate of non-compliance (with the regulatory maximum levels or national alert thresholds) ranging from 0.7% to 16% across all sectors, excluding the equine industry. The identified non-compliances were managed based on the identified risk. They also helped to maintain or strengthen the surveillance of certain analyte/matrix pairs, such as lead in game meat and cadmium in equine liver.

In general, the surveillance system in place has contributed to estimating consumer exposure to trace metals as well as to populating databases (methylmercury exploratory plan) for enhanced risk assessment. The analysis of the monitoring system was an opportunity to present prospects for improvement including the need to define more suitable sample targeting criteria that are easier to implement. Another area for improvement would be the implementation of a tool for improving the quality of data generated by monitoring and control plans.