Regulations relating to maximum levels for metals in foodstuffs (GN. R. 500 of 2004)

GNR 500 GG 26279 30 April 2004 DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH FOODSTUFFS, COSMETICS AND DISINFECTANTS ACT, 1972 (ACT NO. 54 OF 1972) REGULATIONS RELATING TO MAXIMUM LEVELS FOR METALS IN FOODSTUFFS The Minister of Health has, in terms of section 15(1) of the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act, 1972 (Act No. 54 of 1972), made the regulations in the Schedule. SCHEDULE Definitions 1. In these regulations any expression to which a meaning has been assigned in the Act shall bear such meaning and, unless the context indicates otherwise— “fish” means all fish species except shellfish; “maximum level” means the highest acceptable level of a substance, and shall be determined according to the edible content of the foodstuff, i.e. that part of the foodstuff that is normally consumed; “metal” includes any chemical form of that metal; “shellfish” means molluscan bivalves and includes mussels, gastropods and cephalopods; and “the Act” means the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act, 1972 (Act No. 54 of 1972). 2. For the purpose of section 2(1)(b)(i) of the Act, foodstuffs listed in column II of the Annexure are hereby deemed to be contaminated, impure, decayed, harmful or injurious to human health if they contain the metals in column I in amounts exceeding the corresponding levels in column III when measured using accredited analytical methods. Repeal 3. The regulations published under Government Notice No. R.1518 of 9 September 1994 are hereby repealed. ANNEXURE MAXIMUM LEVELS FOR METALS IN FOODSTUFFS (mg/kg or mg/ℓ) Metal Foodstuff Maximum Limit (mg/kg or mg/ℓ) Natural mineral water 0.005 Antimony (Sb) All other liquid foodstuffs 0.15 Chocolate 0.5 Composite, filled and unsweetened chocolate 1.0 Fruit juices and nectars 0.2 Edible fats and oils 0.1 Natural mineral water 0.01 Fish and processed fish 3.0 Arsenic (As) Meat and processed meat 1.0 Cereals, pulses and legumes 0.1 Fruit and other vegetables 0.05 Shellfish and shellfish products 3.0 Fish and processed fish 1.0 Meat and processed meat 0.05† Cadmium (Cd) Natural mineral water 0.003 Chocolate 15 Composite and filled chocolate 20 Unsweetened chocolate 30 Vegetable juices, fruit juices and nectars 5.0# Natural mineral water 1.0 Mayonnaise 2.0 Margarine and minarine 0.1 Copper (Cu) Vinegar 10^ Cereal, pulses and legumes 0.2 Brassica and leafy vegetables except spinach 0.3 Fruits and all other vegetables 0.1 Small fruits and berries 0.2 Vegetable juices, fruit juices and nectars 0.3 Milk and milk products 0.02 Meat and processed meat 0.1 Fish and processed fish 0.5 Infant formulae 0.02 Vinegar 1.0 Mayonnaise 0.3 Chocolate, composite and filled chocolate 1.0 Unsweetened chocolate 2.0 Lead (Pb) Natural mineral water 0.01 Metal Foodstuff Maximum Limit (mg/kg or mg/ℓ) Shellfish and shellfish products 0.5 Predatory fish, including swordfish 1.0* All other fish and processed fish 0.5*Mercury (Hg) Natural mineral water 0.001 Canned apple, grape, blackcurrant and small fruit juices and nectars 150 All other canned fruit juices and nectars, and canned vegetable juices 200 Canned fruits and vegetables 250 Canned meat and meat products 200 Soups and broths 150 Tin (Sn) All uncanned meat and meat products 50 Vegetable juices, fruit juices and nectars 5,0# Zinc (Zn) Vinegar 10^ * As methyl mercury # Maximum level for the sum of copper and zinc: 20 mg/ℓ ^ Sum of zinc and copper † Levels do not apply to liver and kidneys MINISTER OF HEALTH DATE: 2-4-2004