efsa-opinion-chromium-food-drinking-water

Chromium in food and drinking water
Committee for Food was unable to define a specific physiological requirement for Cr(III) (SCF, 2003).
In a recent review Vincent pointed out that the mechanism of action of Cr(III) as an essential element
has not been identified yet and the reports of clinically relevant chromium deficiency in humans are
rare and controversial (Vincent, 2010). The role of Cr(III) as an essential element is currently under
evaluation by the EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (EFSA NDA Panel, in
preparation).
2. Legislation
EU Council Directive 98/83/EC 8 ‘on the quality of water intended for human consumption’ sets a
parametric value for total chromium at 50 µg/L (Annex I, Part B ‘Chemical parameters’); at the same
time, it also indicates the minimum performance characteristics to be warranted by the method used
for the analysis. As the aforesaid maximum level is for unspeciated chromium, the water could
virtually contain toxic Cr(VI) up to the maximum concentration allowed and still be compliant with
chromium regulatory requirement for potability. As known, within the Directive scope, water intended
for human consumption refers to:
‘all water … intended for drinking, cooking, food preparation or other domestic purposes, …
from a distribution network, from a tanker, or in bottles or containers’;
‘all water used in any food-production undertaking for the manufacture, processing,
preservation or marketing of products or substances intended for human consumption …’.
In the EU, the concentration limit for chromium in natural mineral waters is regulated by the
Commission Directive 2003/40/EC 9 . In this Directive, chromium is listed in Annex I amongst the
constituents naturally present in natural mineral waters, with a Maximum Limit of 50 µg/L (as total
chromium).
In the USA, total chromium in drinking water is regulated in the Title XIV of the Public Health
Service Act (Safe Drinking Water Act) with a federal drinking water standard of 0.1 mg/l (U.S. EPA,
online).
There are currently no maximum levels in the EU legislation for chromium - either Cr(III), Cr(VI), or
total - in foodstuffs.
In general, chromium in food contact materials (FCM) is not regulated at the EU level, and in
particular in metal and alloys used for FCM. However, the Council of Europe recently published a
practical guide on metals and alloys used for food contact materials and articles, and which sets out a
specific release limit of 0.25 mg/kg (EDQM, 2013).
Several Cr(VI) compounds and salts are included in the list of substances subject to authorisation for
their placing on the market under Annex IV of the REACH Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 10 .
Chromium is listed in the EC Regulation 1925/2006 11 amongst the minerals which may be added to
food in the form of the following Cr(III) salts: chromium chloride and its hexahydrate, chromium
sulphate and its hexahydrate. Following a decision of the European Commission 12 , chromium
8 Council Directive 98/83/EC of 3 November 1998 on the quality of water intended for human consumption. OJ L 330,
5.12.1998, p. 1-28.
9 Commission Directive 2003/40/EC of 16 May 2003 establishing the list, concentration limits and labelling requirements
for the constituents of natural mineral waters and the conditions for using ozone-enriched air for the treatment of natural
mineral waters and spring waters. OJ L126, 22.5.2003, p. 34-39.
10 Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2006 concerning the
Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH), establishing a European Chemicals
Agency, amending Directive 1999/45/EC and repealing Council Regulation (EEC) No 793/93 and Commission Regulation
(EC) No 1488/94 as well as Council Directive 76/769/EEC and Commission Directives 91/155/EEC, 93/67/EEC,
93/105/EC and 2000/21/EC. OJ L 136, 29.5.2007, p. 3-280.
11 Regulation (EC) No 1925/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 December 2006 on the addition of
vitamins and minerals and of certain other substances to foods. OJ L 404, 30.12.2006, p. 26-38.
12
Commission Decision of 27 May 2011 authorising the placing on the market of Chromium Picolinate as a novel food
ingredient under Regulation (EC) No 258/97 of the European Parliament and of the Council. 2011/320/EU, OJ L 143,
31.5.2011, p. 36-37.
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