Consumer exposure to inorganic arsenic in food is a public health issue, according to a new scientific opinion from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), published on Thursday 18 January, which confirms the 2009 conclusions on the risk assessment of inorganic arsenic in food.
Food is the main source of exposure to inorganic arsenic for the general population in Europe. The main contributors to dietary exposure are rice, rice-based products, grains and grain-based products, according to EFSA. Drinking water also contributes to exposure, although levels are generally low in Europe.
In its updated assessment, EFSA considered the increased incidence of skin cancers associated with exposure to inorganic arsenic as the most relevant harmful effect.
The experts concluded that protection against skin cancer will also protect against other potentially harmful effects associated with inorganic arsenic.
EFSA is also assessing the possible risks associated with exposure to organic arsenic in food. Once this assessment has been completed, the possible risks associated with combined exposure to organic and inorganic arsenic in food will be evaluated.
See the scientific opinion: https://aeur.eu/f/agm (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)