Variations in Heavy Metal Contents in Milk and Incorporation of Global Positioning System (GPS) for Food Safety, Soil Chemicals and Agricultural Product Traceability (Legislation Proposal)

Abstract

SUMMARY The health of population depends largel y upon the quality, nutritional values, food’s hygiene and its safety. Among many agroproducts, edible terrestrial snails are a real ecol ogical and silent animal protein production machines. While deliverin g many other nutrients such as vitamins and minerals, snails can also deliver toxic chemicals. The origin of agro-food starts from soil . Traceability can be assured by maintaining a record of the chemical testing results associated with GPS data. EU norms for maximum lead (Pb 0.02 mg/kg) and cadmium (Cd 0.01 mg/kg) contents refer to cow’s milk whereas sheep’s milk is higher in Pb and Cd content s when the sheep are fed using pasture in the same area, same soil P b and Cd levels. Goat’s milk appears to be virtually free (udl) of P b and Cd even if the goats are fed from / on a highly contaminated with lead (Pb = 24. 3716 mg/kg) pasture. Legislation needs to be drafted and refer specifically to the milk of di fferent species. The source of agro-food products can be identified (Opara, 2003) and it nee ds to be traced all the way to the soil.