Levels of Lead, Cadmium, Zinc, Copper, Nickel, Chromium, Manganese, and Cobalt in Foods on the Swedish Market, 1983–1990

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The levels of Pb, Cd, Zn, Cu, Ni, Cr, Mn, and Co were determined in 50 different foods, mainly meat, fish, fruit, vegetables, pulses, and cereals on the Swedish market during the years 1983–1990. The analysis was accompanied by several quality control measures to ensure the quality of the results. Many of the results for Pb in this study were up to 75% lower than those reported in our previous study from 1984. Most of the foods had very low levels of Pb, Cd, Ni, Cr, and Co, in many cases among the lowest reported in recent literature. The highest levels of Pb were found in cattle kidney, mushrooms, and poppy seeds. High Cd levels were found mostly in cattle kidney and some seeds. The Ni level was high in pulses and the Cr level was high in some seeds. Cattle liver and seeds were fairly high in Co. The variations in levels of these metals in the same products in different surveys, even of fairly recent date, were considerable. The levels of Zn, Cu, and Mn in this study were very similar to those found in other recent surveys.