Cadmium exposure is rising in France, with nearly half of adults exceeding safe levels because of contamination in everyday foods such as bread, pasta, potatoes and vegetables, health authorities have warned – calling for urgent action to cut the risks linked to the cancer-causing metal.
Anses, France’s food safety agency, said on Wednesday that the population was experiencing “strong and increasing” exposure to cadmium, mainly through food.
It described the situation as “concerning” and said it required action that was “rapid and determined” to limit harmful effects on human health.
“Nearly half of the adult population [47.6 percent] exceeds the toxicological reference values,” Géraldine Carne, a toxicologist and coordinator of the report, told a press conference.
The findings come from a two-year study that, for the first time, sets out the scale and nature of cadmium exposure in France. The metal is present in soils, builds up in the body and is not easily removed.
Cadmium is classified as carcinogenic, mutagenic and toxic for reproduction. It can affect several parts of the body, including the bones, kidneys and cardiovascular system.
“This toxic element is widely distributed in the organs,” Carne said, warning of effects on the pancreas, bladder, prostate and breasts.
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France above neighbours
Studies over several decades show exposure levels are rising, with France standing out from neighbouring countries. “Levels in France are up to three or four times higher than in countries such as Belgium, England or Italy,” Carne said.
Food is by far the main source of contamination, accounting for up to 98 percent of exposure in non-smokers, the agency said. Staple foods such as cereal products, potatoes and vegetables are the biggest contributors because they are widely consumed.
The report links this exposure in part to agricultural practices, particularly the use of phosphate-based fertilisers that contain cadmium.
Anses called for urgent reductions in the amount of cadmium allowed in fertilisers and urged action across the whole sector, “and not only farmers”.
The agency also said current regulatory limits for cadmium in food were “not sufficiently protective” and should be lowered.
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What consumers can do
For consumers, the room for action is limited. The report said it was “not relevant to formulate recommendations in terms of individual choices”, given how widespread contamination is in food from the soil.
Still, Anses suggested reducing consumption of wheat-based products with low nutritional value, such as breakfast cereals, cakes and biscuits.
It also encouraged a shift towards legumes such as lentils and chickpeas, which are “10 times less contaminated than cereals”.
Chocolate, often singled out for cadmium content, was described as only a minor contributor because it is consumed in smaller amounts and is not subject to specific advice.
(with newswires)
