COMMISSION ON FOOD CHEMISTRY (VI.5)
Number: 650/84/95
Title: Beryllium in Food - A Critical Assessment
Coordinator(s): B.
Szteke and H.A.M.G.
Vaessen
Remarks: Codex Alimentarius Commission FAO/WHO
Completion Date: 2000 - project completed
Objective:
The project will focus on all aspects associated with beryllium in foods.
Main topics covered will include: occurrence and levels, daily intake,
health risks, contamination routes and methods of analysis. In a recent
monograph (1993) IARC evaluated this element and its compounds and came
to the overal conclusion that they are carcinogenic to humans; i.e.
Group 1 compounds. Although the overall production of beryllium and
beryllium compounds has decreased over the last decade, as evidenced
by the production figures of beryl, there is a relative application
increase in alloys and electronic components. Also, the emission of
beryllium into the environment due to coal combustion is estimated at
400 tons annually. Thus, there is considerable interest on the availability
and validity of food levels, intake data and methods of analysis.
Progress:
Project completed - report entitled 'Beryllium in food
and drinking water - a summary of available knowledge' is published
in Food Additives and Contaminants, 2000, 17(2), 149-159.
Last Update: 12 June 2000