French Food Safety Agency Research Articles

Secrecies as Organized Ignorance: The Illusion of Knowledge in French Pesticide Regulation

ABSTRACT Taking an organizational sociology approach, the study of French pesticide regulation highlights the role of the unexpected effects of secrecies in organized ignorance. It demonstrates that the main regulator, the French food safety agency (ANSES), as well as the users of pesticides, the farmers, develop their own subcultures of secrecy to conceal information about their real practices. These subcultures support each other tacitly: the opacity created by farmers around their practices stifle knowledge production and reporting on their exposure to pesticides. Consequently, the risk standards are never called into question, which ensures that the French food safety agency maintains its scientific reputation. In turn, the fact that official standardization of risk is never challenged, impedes the reinforcement of pesticide regulations that would otherwise hamper day-to-day crop management. This tacit agreement between these combined subcultures maintains the illusion that the regulatory science used for risk management could control a broad spectrum of hazards, when in fact it has only a limited or even outdated knowledge of them. This deepens the definitions of organized ignorance. It demonstrates that non-knowledge production results not only from the complex mix of political, scientific and regulatory frameworks surrounding official expertise as STS researches tend to show, but also from more widespread and less perceptible sociological mechanism such as tacit understanding. Unexpected effects of intentional actions also count as much as willful actions in strategic ignorance production.

Nutritional Profile of Pleurotus geesteranus from Different Harvests

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the contribution of the mushroom Pleurotus geesteranus (P. geesteranus) to a good balanced diet. Against the backdrop of three harvests of this mushroom were carried out on the same substrate, this evaluation was made through a physico-chemical analysis according to standard methods and SAIN/LIM scores were calculated using the nutrient profiling system of the French Food Safety Agency. The main information that emerges is that P. geesteranus remains of excellent nutritional quality, independently of the harvest. This result is justified by their SAIN5 ≥ 5 and LIM3 < 7.5 scores and their classification in the category of foods recommended for health. Also, the different harvests of the mushroom seemed not to have influenced this quality despite the large variations observed in its biochemical composition.

Health risk assessment related to pinnatoxins in French shellfish

Pinnatoxins (PnTXs) are a group of emerging marine biotoxins produced by the benthic dinoflagellate Vulcanodinium rugosum, currently not regulated in Europe or in any other country in the world. In France, PnTXs were detected for the first time in 2011, in mussels from the Ingril lagoon (South of France, Mediterranean coast). Since then, analyses carried out in mussels from this lagoon have shown high concentrations of PnTXs for several months each year. PnTXs have also been detected, to a lesser extent, in mussels from other Mediterranean lagoons and on the Atlantic and Corsican coasts. In the French data, the main analog is PnTX G (low levels of PnTX A are also present in some samples). No cases of PnTXs poisoning in humans have been reported so far in France or anywhere else in the world. In mice, PnTXs induce acute neurotoxic effects, within a few minutes after oral administration. Clinical signs of toxicity include decreased mobility, paralysis of the hind legs, tremors, jumps and breathing difficulties leading to death by respiratory arrest at high doses. The French agency for food safety (ANSES) recently conducted a review of the state of knowledge related to PnTXs and V. rugosum. Based on (i) the clinical signs of toxicity in mice, (ii) the mode of action of PnTXs as nicotinic acetylcholine receptor competitive antagonists and (iii) knowledge on drugs and natural toxins with PnTX-related pharmacology, potential human symptoms have been extrapolated and proposed. In this work, a provisional acute benchmark value for PnTX G of 0.13 μg/kg bw per day has been derived from an oral acute toxicity study in mice. Based on this value and a large shellfish meat portion size of 400g, a concentration lower than 23 μg PnTX G/kg shellfish meat is not expected to result in adverse effects in humans. ANSES recommends taking into account PnTXs in the French official monitoring program for shellfish production and identified data gaps to refine health risk assessment.

Policy of feeding very preterm infants with their mother's own fresh expressed milk was associated with a reduced risk of bronchopulmonary dysplasia.

Since 2005, the French Food Safety Agency has recommended that very preterm or low-birthweight babies should be fed with pasteurised, expressed breastmilk, and feeding policies on this vary widely in French neonatal units. We investigated the differences between using a mother's expressed milk, in fresh or pasteurised forms, for very preterm infants. This observational multicentre study analysed data on 926 very preterm infants: 636 from neonatal units who used the mother's own fresh milk and 290 who used the mother's milk after pasteurisation. We analysed necrotising enterocolitis, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, in-hospital mortality, late-onset sepsis, weight gain, length of hospital stay, the duration of parenteral nutrition and the duration of enteral feeding with a nasogastric tube. Multivariate analyses were conducted to assess the impact of maternal milk policies. After adjustment, there was a reduced risk of bronchopulmonary dysplasia in the fresh milk group with an odds ratio of 0.40 and 95% confidence interval of 0.27-0.67 (p < 0.001). No other statistically significant differences were observed. Feeding very preterm infants with their mother's expressed fresh milk was associated with a reduced risk of bronchopulmonary dysplasia, and further investigations are needed to evaluate the clinical impact of this practice.

Low Intake of Aspartame Induced Weight Gain and Damage of Brain & Liver Cells in Weanling Syrian Hamsters

This study aims to investigate the health effects of aspartame on weanling male hamsters. 20 Golden Syrian hamsters drank only water (control) or water with 6, 11, and 18 mg aspartame/kg of body weight per day for 42 days. Food intake, weight gain, glucose blood level, and lipid profile were determined at the end of the experiment. The animals were sacrificed and histopathological examination of organs (liver, brain and heart) was done. Results revealed that animals in Aspartame groups (Asp.groups) consumed significantly larger amount of food than the control (13.4±5.9, 8.6±2.5 and 8.8±3.0 vs 4.2±2.5 g/day, in succession). Hamsters in the control group showed higher total cholesterol and HDL levels than hamsters in aspartame 6, 11, 18 groups (160±19 vs 101±13, 130±22, 141±15 mg/dl & 144±9 vs 120±12, 118±13, 99±17 respectively (P<0·05)). The control group showed a glucose concentration below those of aspartame groups, indicating no effect of aspartame on glucose blood level. While, there were no significant differences in the triglycerides and LDL levels between control group and Asp.groups. Histopathological changes were observed, especially in brain and liver cells. Aspartame increases appetite and weight gain of young hamsters. Therefore, authorities (the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the Agence Francaise de Securite Sanitaire des Aliments (French Food Safety Agency – AFSSA)) should reconsider the acceptable daily intake (ADI) of aspartame especially for children, they are more vulnerable than adults.

Impact of a modification of food regulation on cadmium exposure

The 2nd French Total Diet Study demonstrated that 0.6% of adults and 14.9% of children exceeded the tolerable weekly intake set by EFSA. The overexposure of several consumers (adults and children) can be partially due to the high consumption of bread and dried bread products, of bivalve mollusks and of potatoes. Except for mollusks, these foods are the main contributors identified for the general population. On this basis, the French agency for food, environmental and occupational health and safety (ANSES) assessed whether a decrease of the European maximum limits in foodstuffs could significantly reduce the level of exposure of French consumers. Applying ML set at P90 of the main contributors would neither significantly reduce exposure levels to cadmium for the general population, nor the percentage of subjects exceeding the TWI. To reduce background consumer exposure to cadmium, actions to be taken include efforts on sources that are at the origin of the soil contamination and the efficacy of consumption recommendations.

Unravelling the sanitary impact of Annonaceous acetogenins: A dereplicative approach

Atypical parkinsonian syndromes are abnormally frequent in the French West Indies. They were linked epidemiologically to the consumption, for alimentary and medicinal means, of plants of the Annonaceae family, suggesting a possible toxic aetiology, as emphasized by the French food safety agency (Anses) [1]. These plants contain Annonaceous acetogenins, such as annonacin. These inhibitors of mitochondrial complex I proved to be neurotoxic in several in vitro and in vivo paradigms [2]. A particular emphasis was given to the influence of acetogenins on the distribution of the tau protein, which aggregates in several neurodegenerative diseases: Recently obtained in vivo (per os) data will be presented. Our actual efforts are focused on chemical analysis of sources of exposure to acetogenins, i.e. fruit pulps and fruit juices of the main edible Annona species (A. cherimolia, A. muricata, A. squamosa...). Methodological development was performed using HPLC-ESI-LTQ-Orbitrap®, HPLC-ESI-TQ and HPLC-ESI-Q-TOF as tools for various purposes. Note worthily, the post-chromatographic use of lithium allowed direct apprehension of a vast and underestimated diversity of these molecules in crude extracts [3]. A chemometric approach is now being developed. Nevertheless, pharmacokinetic parameters of acetogenins are unknown and are likely to constitute key-factors for inter-individual variability in Human. A phase I metabolic study was conducted with annonacin [4]. Study of the bioavailability of this molecule was also performed, in the Rat. Here again, the input of hyphenated methods proved crucial for both detection and quantification of the molecule and its metabolites. The wealth of data obtained so far by our group and our collaborators strongly supports Annonaceae as a risk factor for sporadic parkinsonism/dementia.

Study on polychlorobiphenyl serum levels in French consumers of freshwater fish

IntroductionPolychlorobiphenyls (PCBs) are persistent pollutants that are widespread in the environment and in foodstuffs, particularly in freshwater fish, which frequently exceed the maximum levels set by European regulations. ObjectivesFirst, we describe the consumption of freshwater fish and serum PCB levels in French anglers, a population expected to have the highest level of dietary PCB exposure. Second, we investigated whether there is a statistical relationship between serum PCB levels and the angler consumption of freshwater fish with high PCB bioaccumulation potential (PCB-BP+ freshwater fish) in order to make recommendations with regard to safe consumption of freshwater fish. MethodsWe conducted a survey of anglers from six sites with contrasting PCB contamination levels. The survey included a food consumption frequency questionnaire and blood samples were taken to assess serum PCB levels. We used a regression model to determine the main factors contributing to serum PCB levels. ResultsConsumption of PCB-BP+ freshwater fish was relatively infrequent. Serum PCB levels of the study population and of women of childbearing age were in the same range as those observed in the French population and in neighbouring European countries, but higher than in the North American population.The two factors with the highest positive association with serum PCB levels were age (R2=61%) and the consumption of PCB-BP+ freshwater fish (R2=2%). Using the regression model, we calculated, for several scenarios depending on the age and gender of the population, the maximum annual frequencies for PCB-BP+ freshwater fish consumption that do not exceed the critical body burden threshold. ConclusionFollowing the results of this study, the French agency for food, environmental and occupational health and safety (ANSES) issued an opinion and recommended some specific maximum freshwater fish consumption frequencies to protect the French general population.

Li, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Se and Mo levels in foodstuffs from the Second French TDS

In 2006, the French Food Safety Agency (AFSSA) conducted the Second French Total Diet Study (TDS) to estimate dietary exposures to the main minerals and trace elements from 1319 samples of foods typically consumed by the French population. The foodstuffs were analysed by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) after microwave-assisted digestion. Occurrence data for lithium, chromium, manganese, cobalt, nickel, copper, zinc, selenium and molybdenum were reported and compared with results from the previous French TDS. The results indicate that the food groups presenting the highest levels of these essential trace elements were “tofu” (for Li, Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn and Mo),“fish and fish products” particularly “shellfish” (for Li, Co, Cu, Zn, Se and Mo), “sweeteners, honey and confectionery” particularly dark chocolate (for Cr, Mn, Co, Ni and Cu), “cereals and cereal products” (for Mn, Ni and Mo) and “ice cream” (for Cr, Co and Ni).

A qualitative risk assessment methodology for scientific expert panels

Risk assessment can be either quantitative, i.e. providing a numeric estimate of the probability of risk and the magnitude of the consequences, or qualitative, using a descriptive approach. The French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety (ANSES), formerly the French Food Safety Agency (AFSSA), bases its assessments on the opinions of scientific panels, such as the ANSES Animal Health Scientific Panel (AH-SP). Owing to the lack of relevant data and the very short period of time usually allowed to assess animal health risks on particular topics, this panel has been using a qualitative risk method for evaluating animal health risks or crises for the past few years. Some experts have drawn attention to the limitations of this method, such as the need to extend the range of adjectives used for the lower probabilities and to develop a way to assess consequences. The aim of this paper is to describe the improved method now established by the AH-SP, taking into account the limitations of the first version. The authors describe a new set of levels for probabilities, as well as the items considered when addressing either animal or human health consequences.

Improvement of the nutritional quality of foods as a public health tool

To assess the potential contribution of improving the nutritional quality of processed foods on individuals' nutritional intake and food supply. This paper also discusses the means to encourage firms to implement these reformulations, particularly in public/private partnerships. The French Observatory of Food Quality was created by the Government for the quantification and follow-up of food reformulation by the food industry. This nutritional composition database on branded products was matched with two consumption databases: TNS Kantar Worldpanel, which provides details on quantities bought and food expenditures; and INCA 2, an individuals' food consumption survey completed by the French Food Safety Agency. Three food groups were considered: breakfast cereals (355 items in 2008), biscuits and pastries (1805 items in 2008), and bread-based products (620 items in 2009). First, the variability in nutrient composition within food categories was determined, which made it possible to consider several food composition modification scenarios within each category. The formulation of the food items with the lowest nutritional quality was modified to three different levels to improve the overall level of quality in a given category. Second, the quantities of sugars, fat, fibre and sodium delivered to the French market through breakfast cereals, biscuits, pastries and bread-based products were calculated for each scenario. Finally, the distribution of individuals' nutrient consumption from the three food groups among the French population was assessed. These scenarios generated important improvements of 1-22% (increase in the amount of fibre or decrease in the amounts of sugars, fat and sodium delivered to the market), depending on the scenario, the food group and the nutrient considered. Improvement of the products with the lowest nutritional quality would also lead to significant variation in individuals' nutrient consumption for the average adult and child consumers of the three groups (range 4.2-18.8%, depending on the scenario, the food group and the nutrient considered). Encouraging the reformulation of foods, especially for products with the lowest nutritional quality in each category of processed foods, is a worthy target for health policy makers. The methodology presented in this paper provides information for negotiations between policy makers and firms to quantify commitments in terms of their potential impacts on individuals' nutrient intake, and to check that the firms' commitments are actually met.

Scientific Opinion on a review of the BSE‐related risk in bovine intestines

The opinion reviews a 2007 opinion of the French Food Safety Agency (AFSSA), which, referring to the current situation in France, concluded that the current removal of the whole intestine from bovine animals of all ages as specified risk material could be limited to the ileum. It is concluded that the model used in the AFSSA opinion is an appropriate tool to estimate the Classical BSE prevalence in cattle cohorts in countries with extensive surveillance systems and the maximum number of undetected Classical BSE cases that could enter into the food chain in a particular country. It is concluded that the AFSSA methodology cannot be used to make inference to situations other than the French situation to assess the Classical BSE-related risk in bovine intestines. The new scientific data available are reviewed. These data, which add some new elements, concur and confirm the presence of limited amounts of PrPSc and/or infectivity in parts of the intestine other than ileum of Classical BSE infected cattle under experimental inoculation (jejunum) and natural exposure (distal jejunum and colon). The new scientific information further confirms the presence of consistent amounts of PrPSc and infectivity in the ileum of Classical BSE infected cattle under experimental inoculation and natural exposure. Due to limitations in the data currently available, an accurate quantification of the amount of infectivity in the intestinal parts other than ileum of Classical BSE infected cattle at different stages of the incubation period cannot be provided. It is also concluded that, due to the continuous decline of the Classical BSE epidemic, the current Classical BSE exposure risk from bovine intestines has declined correspondingly. Exposure to Atypical BSE from the consumption of bovine intestines cannot be assessed at this stage and research on the pathogenesis of Atypical BSE is recommended.

La restauration scolaire dans les établissements publics français du second degré : respect des recommandations nationales et profils d’établissements

Background Recent reports on the lack of nutritional quality of meals served in schools have led public authorities to draft, in 1999, recommendations for restoring a balanced food supply. Following the survey carried out by the French food safety Agency in 2005–2006, which highlighted gaps in the implementation of these recommendations, a law passed in July 2010 plans to make these recommendations mandatory, as their 2007 revised version. Thus, the objective of this study was to assess initial school compliance with regard to this last revised version of the recommendations and to identify school patterns through their catering management and implication in a dietary project. Methods Seven hundred and seven secondary state schools were questioned (570 were administrated by the Ministry of Education and 137 by the Ministry of Agriculture) on their catering practices. Twenty consecutive menus from each school were also analyzed with a specific coding system to establish its nutritional composition for comparison with the 2007 recommendations. Results On average, schools complied with half of the recommendations. Good compliance was observed with the 2007 recommendations concerning fried products, starchy foods, fruits, and dairy products whereas very few schools were in compliance with recommendations concerning fish, cheeses and sweetened desserts containing less than 15 % fat and more than 20 g of sugar per portion. Furthermore, compliance with recommendations was significantly better for lunch meals, and even better for agricultural establishments. A 5-component meal was also associated with greater compliance with the recommendations. In addition, four school patterns were identified based on catering management practices. The first two categories of establishments had knowledge of the recommendations but exhibited different levels of application. The last two types of establishments had no knowledge of the recommendations and differed in their catering management practices. Conclusion Compliance with recommendations was contrasted, with high adequacy for some guidelines and low for others. Nevertheless, application of the current guidelines and real implication of the school in a dietary project did improve the dietary offer in such schools.

Conclusions of the French Food Safety Agency on the toxicity of bisphenol A

Since more than 10 years, risk assessment of bisphenol A (BPA) is debated at the international level. In 2008, the U.S. National Toxicology Program (NTP) expressed some concern for adverse effects, at current level of exposure to BPA, on developmental toxicity. In this context, the French Food Safety Agency (AFSSA) decided to review the toxicity data on BPA with a special focus on this endpoint at doses below 5mg/kg bw/day (the no observed adverse effect level set by different regulatory bodies). This paper summarizes the conclusions of a collective assessment conducted by an expert Working Group from AFSSA. Studies were classified into 3 groups: (i) finding no toxicity, (ii) reporting results not considered to be of concern and (iii) indicating warning signals. The term "warning signal" means that no formal conclusion can be drawn regarding the establishment of a health based guidance value but the study raises some questions about the toxicity of BPA at low doses. It was concluded that studies are needed to ascertain the significance for human health of these warning signals and to be able to propose new methodologies for assessing the risks associated with low doses of BPA and more generally of endocrine disruptors.

Pb, Hg, Cd, As, Sb and Al levels in foodstuffs from the 2nd French total diet study

In 2006, the French Food Safety Agency (AFSSA) conducted the second French total diet study (TDS) to estimate dietary exposures of main minerals and trace elements from 1319 samples of foods habitually consumed by the French population. The foodstuffs were analysed by ICP–MS after microwave-assisted digestion. Contamination data for lead, mercury, cadmium, arsenic, antimony and aluminium were reported and compared with results from the previous French total diet study. The results are comparable with those from the rest of Europe. “Fish and fish products” and “sweeteners, honey and confectionery” were the food groups showing the highest cumulated contents in Pb, Hg, Cd, As, Al and Sb. However, observed levels remained low and were generally well below the maximum levels set by the current European regulation for lead, cadmium and mercury.

Laboratory-based surveillance for Cryptosporidium in France, 2006–2009

In 2002, the French Food Safety Agency drew attention to the lack of information on the prevalence of human cryptosporidiosis in the country. Two years later, the ANOFEL Cryptosporidium National Network (ACNN) was set up to provide public health authorities with data on the incidence and epidemiology of human cryptosporidiosis in France. Constituted on a voluntary basis, ACNN includes 38 hospital parasitology laboratories (mainly in university hospitals). Each laboratory is engaged to notify new cases of confirmed human cryptosporidiosis, store specimens (e.g. stools, duodenal aspirates or biopsies) and related clinical and epidemiological data, using data sheet forms. From January 2006 to December 2009, 407 cryptosporidiosis cases were notified in France and 364 specimens were collected. Of the notified cases, 74 were children under four years of age, accounting for 18.2%. HIV-infected and immunocompetent patients represented 38.6% (n=157) and 28% (n=114) of cases, respectively. A marked seasonal pattern was observed each year, with increased number of cases in mid to late summer and the beginning of autumn. Genotyping of 345 isolates from 310 patients identified C. parvumin 168 (54.2%) cases, C. hominis in 113 (36.4%) and other species in 29 (9.4%), including C. felis (n=15), C. meleagridis (n=4), C. canis (n=4), Cryptosporidium chipmunk genotype (n=1), Cryptosporidium rabbit genotype (n=1) and new Cryptosporidium genotypes (n=4). These data represent the first multisite report of laboratory-confirmed cases of cryptosporidiosis in France.

Simultaneous analysis of 21 elements in foodstuffs by ICP-MS after closed-vessel microwave digestion: Method validation

This paper describes a validation process for the simultaneous analysis of 21 elements: lithium (Li), aluminium (Al), vanadium (V), manganese (Mn), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), gallium (Ga), germanium (Ge), arsenic (As), strontium (Sr), molybdenum (Mo), silver (Ag), cadmium (Cd), tin (Sn), antimony (Sb), tellurium (Te), barium (Ba), mercury (Hg) and lead (Pb) in food samples by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) after closed-vessel microwave digestion. This validation was realized in parallel with the analysis of the 1322 food samples of the second French Total Diet Study (TDS) by the National Reference Laboratory (NRL) of the French Food Safety Agency (AFSSA). Several criteria such as linearity, limits of quantification (LOQ), specificity, precision under repeatability conditions and intermediate precision reproducibility were evaluated. Furthermore, the method was supervised by several internal and external quality controls (IQC and EQC). Results indicate that this method could be used in the laboratory for the routine determination of these 21 essential and non-essential elements in foodstuffs with acceptable analytical performance.

Automated early warning system for the surveillance of Salmonella isolated in the agro-food chain in France

Non-typhic Salmonella is one of the major bacterial pathogens that cause foodborne infections as well as economic losses for the food production industry. There is therefore a need to improve early detection to prevent the emergence and spread of Salmonella within the agro-food chain. The passive laboratory-based surveillance system of the Salmonella network has been integrated into the French Food Safety Agency's working plan. The objective of this study was to evaluate the ability of this network to detect unusual Salmonella contamination as early as possible in the agro-food chain. Three statistical methods were used to detect unusual events from the time-series of counts. After an experimental period of more than 1 year, this approach detected several unusual events linked to contamination in the agro-food chain that were confirmed in a timely manner at national or regional levels. This evaluation also reinforced the position of the Salmonella network as an integral part of the national public health surveillance system.

Mycoplasmoses of ruminants in France: recent data from the national surveillance network

BackgroundRuminant mycoplasmoses are important diseases worldwide and several are listed by the World Organization for Animal Health to be of major economic significance. In France the distribution of mycoplasmal species isolated from clinical samples collected from diseased animals upon veterinary request, is monitored by a network known as VIGIMYC (for VIGIlance to MYCoplasmoses of ruminants). The veterinary diagnostic laboratories collaborating with VIGIMYC are responsible for isolating the mycoplasmas while identification of the isolates is centralized by the French Food Safety Agency (AFSSA) in Lyon. The VIGIMYC framework can also be used for specific surveys and one example, on the prevalence of M. bovis in bovine respiratory diseases, is presented here.ResultsBetween 2003 and 2008, 34 laboratories were involved in the network and 1904 mycoplasma isolates, originating from the main ruminant-breeding areas, were identified. For cattle, the high prevalence of M. bovis in bronchopneumonia, notably in young animals, was confirmed by VIGIMYC and an associated specific survey, whereas the non-emergence of species such as M. alkalescens and M. canis was also demonstrated. The etiological agent of bovine contagious pleuropneumonia was never isolated. The principal mycoplasmosis in goats was contagious agalactia with M. mycoides subsp. capri as main agent. Ovine mycoplasmoses, most of which were associated with pneumonia in lambs, were infrequently reported. One exception was ovine contagious agalactia (due to M. agalactiae) that has recently re-emerged in the Pyrénées where it had been endemic for years and was also reported in Corsica, which was previously considered free.ConclusionsAlthough VIGIMYC is a passive network and somewhat biased as regards sample collection and processing, it has provided, in this study, an overview of the main mycoplasmoses of ruminants in France. The French epidemiological situation is compared to those existing elsewhere in the world.

Internal quality controls applied in inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry multi-elemental analysis in the second French Total Diet Study

In 2006, the French Food Safety Agency (AFSSA) started the second French Total Diet Study to assess exposure to essential and non-essential elements through dietary intake by analysing 1352 food samples. A total of 21 elements were analysed to date by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry after closed vessel microwave digestion, in 660 samples corresponding to at half of the study. This work presents and discusses the results of the various internal quality controls (IQC) applied to ensure that the analytical procedure is correctly carried out, from digestion to analysis, and to enable analytical chemists to validate the results obtained. The whole IQC allows to estimate uncertainties according to elements and to select those that should be discarded from the study or only given as indicative values for elements that were not within defined quality limits.