New limits for perchlorate from 2024 in Switzerland - Eurofins Scientific AG
Perchlorate, an inorganic compound found in many industrial processes and also in nature, has attracted increased attention in recent years, particularly in connection with its presence in food. From 2024, new limits for perchlorate in food will come into force in Switzerland as part of Stretto 4 in order to improve food safety.
Origin of perchlorate in food:
A major source of perchlorate in food is the use of chlorine-containing substances for cleaning and disinfection and drinking water treated with chlorine. Perchlorate can be a by-product of this process.
Why is perchlorate toxic?
Perchlorate can impair thyroid function by inhibiting the absorption of iodine. The thyroid gland is a vital organ that produces hormones that regulate metabolism and other important bodily functions.
Regulation and limits:
Following an increase in elevated perchlorate levels in recent years, particularly in fruit and vegetables, limits for perchlorate were set within the EU in 2023. In Switzerland, the Stretto 4 revision of food legislation also plans to introduce limit values for perchlorate in order to keep exposure to perchlorate as low as possible.
The planned limit values for perchlorate are listed in the following table:
We offer the analysis of perchlorate1 for all types of food as a single method or in combination with chlorate1 using LC-MS/MS. Please feel free to contact us!
1 These analyses are performed in an accredited Lab within the Eurofins Network of Laboratories. The list is not exhaustive.
