EU food contaminant legislation sets maximum allowable levels for various impurities in food products. To guarantee product safety, these levels are set to be “as low as reasonably achievable” by following good agricultural and manufacturing practices.
High-risk items susceptible to specific types of contaminants should be tested to ensure that maximum limits are not exceeded. Measurlabs offers food contaminant testing to detect and quantify all the substances listed in this article.
- Aflatoxin
- Ochratoxin A
- Patulin
- Deoxynivalenol, zearalenone, and fumonisins
- Citrinin
- Heavy metals
- Ergot alkaloids
- Tropane alkaloids
- Pyrrolizidine alkaloids
- Dioxins and PCBs
- T-2 and HT-2 toxins
- Perchlorate
- 3-MCPD fatty acid esters
- PFAS & PAH compounds
- Acrylamide
- Alternaria toxins
- Pesticide residues
- Contaminant analysis
Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/915 on maximum levels for certain contaminants in food
Regulation (EU) 2023/915 replaced the earlier Regulation (EC) 1881/2006 on food contaminants in the spring of 2023.1 Before this, the previous regulation had been amended close to 50 times by additions and revisions to the list of contaminants, maximum levels, and food categories. With even more amendments pending, the Commission decided to replace (EC) 1881/2006 instead.
Like its predecessor, Regulation (EU) 2023/915 addresses dozens of impurities from plant alkaloids and heavy metals to dioxins and PAH compounds. Similarly, all amendments are integrated into the consolidated version of the document. The following sections provide a summary of the limits the regulation imposes on selected food contaminants.
Aflatoxin
Produced by two species of Aspergillus fungus, aflatoxins are mycotoxins that the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) considers to be carcinogenic and genotoxic.2 They were included in the original Regulation (EC) 1881/2006, with subsequent amendments to maximum levels and regulated foodstuffs introduced by regulations (EU) 165/2010 and (EU) 1058/2012. Maximum concentrations are set for aflatoxin B1, aflatoxin M1, and the sum of aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, and G2.
Table 1: Maximum aflatoxin levels in selected foods
Food product | Max. level of aflatoxin B1 (µg/kg) | Max. sum of aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, and G2 (µg/kg) | Max. level of aflatoxin M1 (µg/kg) |
|---|---|---|---|
Almonds, pistachios, and apricot kernels | 8.0–12.0* | 10.0–15.0* | - |
Hazelnuts and Brazil nuts | 5.0–8.0* | 10.0–15.0* | - |
Other tree nuts | 2.0–5.0* | 4.0–10.0* | - |
Groundnuts (peanuts) and other oilseeds | 2.0–8.0* | 4.0–15.0* | - |
Dried figs | 6.0 | 10.0 | - |
Other dried fruit | 2.0–5.0* | 4.0–10.0* | - |
Most cereals and cereal products | 2.0 | 4.0 | - |
Raw and heat-treated milk | - | - | 0.05 |
Dried chili, cayenne pepper, paprika, white and black pepper, nutmeg, ginger, turmeric, and mixes containing them | 5.0 | 10.0 | - |
Baby food and cereal-based foods for infants and young children | 0.10 | - | - |
Infant formula and follow-on milk | - | - | 0.025 |
* The lower limit applies to products intended for direct human consumption or use as food ingredients, while the higher limit applies to products subjected to sorting or other physical treatment before use.
Ochratoxin A
Another mycotoxin, produced by Aspergillus and Penicillium fungi, ochratoxin A often forms during the storage and drying of crops if best practices are not followed. Following findings that ochratoxin A can be found in previously unregulated products and that exposure is more harmful than previously thought, new maximum levels were set by Regulation (EU) 2022/1370. These levels have been effective since the beginning of 2023.
Table 2: Maximum levels of ochratoxin A in selected foods
Food product | Maximum level of ochratoxin A (µg/kg) |
|---|---|
Dried currants, raisins, sultanas, and figs | 8.0 |
Other dried fruit | 2.0 |
Roasted coffee | 3.0 |
Instant coffee | 5.0 |
Cocoa powder | 3.0 |
Wine and grape juice | 2.0 |
Bakery products, cereal snacks, and breakfast cereals | 2.0–4.0* |
Other cereals and processed cereal products for the final consumer | 3.0 |
Sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, melon seeds, hemp seeds, soybeans, and pistachios** | 5.0 |
Dried chili, cayenne pepper, and paprika | 20.0 |
Other dried spices | 15.0 |
Dried herbs | 10.0 |
Licorice confectionery with ≥ 97% licorice extract content on dry basis | 50.0 |
Other licorice confectionery | 10.0 |
Baby foods and cereal-based foods for infants and young children (limit applies to dry matter) | 0.5 |
* The upper limit of 4 µg/kg applies to products containing at least 20% dried vine fruit or figs. Other products that contain oilseeds, nuts, or dried fruit have a limit of 3 µg/kg, and the 2 µg/kg limit applies to products without these ingredients.
** In the case of pistachios, the 5 µg/kg limit applies to nuts placed on the market for consumers; a higher 10 µg/kg limit applies to pistachios for sorting or other physical treatment before placing on the market.
Patulin
The mycotoxin patulin, produced by several species of fungi, is most often found in apple-based products. Regulation (EU) 2023/915 sets maximum levels for patulin in the products listed in the table below.
Table 3: Maximum patulin levels outlined in EU legislation
Product | Maximum level of patulin (µg/kg) |
|---|---|
Fruit juices, including nectars and juices from concentrate | 50 |
Cider, spirit drinks, and other fermented drinks derived from apple or containing apple juice | 50 |
Baby food | 10 |
Apple juice, compote, puree, and solid apple products for infants and young children | 10 |
Other apple compotes, purees, and solid apple products | 25 |
Deoxynivalenol, zearalenone, and fumonisins
Deoxynivalenol (DON), zearalenone, and fumonisins are toxins produced by Fusarium fungi. They are often found in cereal products, with zearalenone and fumonisins being especially prevalent in maize and products derived from it. The current maximum levels were introduced into EU legislation by Regulation (EC) 1126/2007.
Table 4: Maximum deoxynivalenol, zearalenone, and fumonisin levels in selected food products
Product | Deoxynivalenol (µg/kg) | Zearalenone (µg/kg) | Sum of fumonisins B1 and B2 (µg/kg) |
|---|---|---|---|
Unprocessed maize* | 1,500 | 350 | 4,000 |
Unprocessed durum wheat | 1,500 | 100 | - |
Unprocessed oat | 1,750 | 100 | - |
Other unprocessed cereals (except rice) | 1,000 | 100 | - |
Maize-based breakfast cereals and cereal snacks | 400 | 100 | 800 |
Other maize-based products for the final consumer | 750 | 100 | 1,000 |
Other bread, pastries, biscuits, cereal snacks, and breakfast cereals (except rice) | 400 | 50 | - |
Cereal flour and semolina (except maize and rice) | 600 | 75 | - |
Dry pasta | 600 | - | - |
Maize-based foods for young children | 150 | 20 | 200 |
Other cereal-based foods for young children (except rice-based products) | 150 | 20 | - |
* Other than maize intended for wet milling
Citrinin
Citrinin is a mycotoxin that may form in foods and food supplements fermented with red yeast Monascus purpureus. High levels of citrinin have been discovered in red yeast rice supplements, which are currently the only product category for which a maximum limit has been set in EU legislation. The citrinin content of such supplements must not exceed 100 μg/kg.
Heavy metals
Regulation (EU) 2023/915 sets maximum levels for lead, cadmium, mercury, arsenic, and nickel in a wide range of foods. Lead and cadmium levels were last updated in 2021, mercury levels in 2022, and arsenic levels in 2025. Nickel limits were introduced most recently, taking effect in July 2025 and July 2026, depending on food category.3 Heavy metal content is measured in milligrams per kilogram, typically in relation to the product’s wet weight.
The maximum allowed lead content ranges from 0.01 mg/kg in liquid infant formula to 3 mg/kg in food supplements. Most meat products, fats, and oils must not contain more than 0.1 mg/kg of lead, while the limits for fruit, vegetables, and fungi vary between 0.1 mg/kg and 0.8 mg/kg.
For cadmium, maximum levels range from 0.005 mg/kg in cows' milk-based liquid infant formula to 3 mg/kg in certain supplements. Fruit, vegetables, and fungi must not contain more than 0.02–0.5 mg/kg of cadmium, and the limits for meat and fish products vary from 0.05 to 1 mg/kg.
Maximum mercury levels are set for salt, food supplements, fish, and fishery products. Salt and supplements must not contain more than 0.1 mg/kg of mercury. For fish and fishery products, the limit depends on the species and ranges from 0.3 to 1 mg/kg.
Arsenic limits are set for rice-based products, baby foods, fruit juices, fish, seafood, and salt. The salt limit (0.5 mg/kg) applies to total arsenic, while the other limits (from 0.01 mg/kg in liquid infant formula to 1.5 mg/kg in langoustine and rock lobster) apply to inorganic arsenic.
Maximum nickel levels range from 0.1 mg/kg in liquid infant formula to 40 mg/kg in wakame seaweed. Limits apply to various nuts, vegetables, pulses, oilseeds, chocolate products, fruit juices, cereal products, and baby foods.
Ergot alkaloids and ergot sclerotia
Ergot sclerotia are fungal structures from the genus Claviceps that may replace grain kernels and grass seeds, showing up as larger, discolored granules on grain ears. The alkaloids they contain are toxic, and EFSA’s scientific opinion from June 2012 has defined the tolerable daily intake of ergot alkaloids as 0.6 µg per kilogram of body weight.4 The current maximum levels in different foodstuffs were set by Regulation (EU) 2021/1399, and most of them took effect at the beginning of 2022. For some products, stricter limits will apply from July 2028.
Ergot alkaloid levels are measured as the lower-bound sum of 12 alkaloids: ergocornine/ergocorninine, ergocristine/ergocristinine, ergocryptine/ergocryptinine (α- and β-form), ergometrine/ergometrinine, ergosine/ergosinine, and ergotamine/ergotaminine.
Table 5: Maximum levels of ergot alkaloids in selected foods
Food product | Sum of ergot alkaloids (µg/kg) |
|---|---|
Rye milling products | 500 (250 from 1.7.2028) |
Wheat gluten | 400 |
Barley, spelt, and oat milling products with low ash content (<900mg/100g dry matter) | 50 |
Wheat milling products with low ash content (<900mg/100g dry matter) | 100 (50 from 1.7.2028) |
Barley, wheat, spelt, and oat milling products with high ash content (≥900mg/100g dry matter) | 150 |
Cereal-based foods for infants and young children | 20 |
Tropane alkaloids
Maximum tropane alkaloid levels in products intended for young children were introduced into EU food contaminant legislation by Regulation (EU) 2016/239, following EFSA’s scientific opinion on the high likelihood of toddlers being exposed to unsafe amounts.5 The legislation was further amended by Regulation (EU) 2021/1408, which introduced maximum limits for other foodstuffs. These limits have been effective since September 2022. Tropane alkaloid content is measured as atropine, scopolamine, and their sum.
Table 6: Maximum levels of tropane alkaloids in selected foods
Food product | Sum of atropine and scopolamine (µg/kg) | Atropine (µg/kg) | Scopolamine (µg/kg) |
|---|---|---|---|
Baby foods and cereal-based foods for young children containing millet, sorghum, buckwheat, or maize | - | 1.0 | 1.0 |
Millet, sorghum, and maize, including maize for popping | 5.0* | - | - |
Buckwheat | 10.0 | - | - |
Dried herbal infusions made exclusively of anise seeds | 50.0 | - | - |
Other dried herbal infusions | 25.0 | - | - |
Liquid herbal infusions | 0.2 | - | - |
* A higher limit of 15 μg/kg applies to unprocessed maize, except maize intended for wet milling
Pyrrolizidine alkaloids
EFSA published a scientific assessment on pyrrolizidine alkaloids in 2017, finding that the risk of excessive exposure is high for frequent consumers of tea and herbal infusions.6 Following EFSA’s assessment, maximum levels for pyrrolizidine alkaloids were introduced into EU legislation by Regulation (EU) 2020/2040, becoming effective in July 2022. Pyrrolizidine content is measured as a sum of over 30 individual pyrrolizidine alkaloids.
Table 7: Maximum levels of pyrrolizidine alkaloids in selected foods
Food product | Maximum pyrrolizidine content (µg/kg) |
|---|---|
Herbal infusions composed exclusively of rooibos, anise, lemon balm, chamomile, thyme, peppermint, lemon verbena, and their mixtures | 400 |
Other herbal infusions | 200 |
Tea and flavored tea | 150 |
Dry tea and infusions intended for young children | 75 |
Pollen-based food supplements and other pollen products | 500 |
Other food supplements that contain botanical preparations | 400 |
Dried borage, lovage, marjoram, and oregano | 1,000 |
Other dried herbs | 400 |
Cumin seeds | 400 |
Dioxins and PCBs
Dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are highly toxic persistent organic pollutants (POPs). The EU legislation on their presence in food has been updated several times, most recently in 2022 by Regulation (EU) 2022/2002, which takes into account EFSA’s updated scientific opinion on maximum tolerable intake.7 This regulation extended limits to additional food groups and lowered the limits for other foods.
Maximum dioxin and PCB levels are expressed as sums of compounds considered by the World Health Organization (WHO) to be the most toxic. These include 7 dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), 10 dibenzofurans (PCDFs), 4 dioxin-like non-ortho PCBs, and 8 dioxin-like mono-ortho PCBs. Each compound is assigned a WHO toxic equivalency factor (WHO-TEF), which expresses its toxicity relative to the most toxic dioxin, 2,3,7,8-TCDD. The concentrations of the individual compounds are multiplied by their TEFs and added together into a toxic equivalent (TEQ), which is the unit used for the maximum levels.
Table 8: Maximum dioxin and PCB concentrations in selected foods
Food product | Sum of dioxins (PCDDs + PCDFs), WHO-TEQ | Sum of dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs (PCDDs + PCDFs + PCBs), WHO-TEQ | Sum of PCB28, PCB52, PCB101, PCB138, PCB153, and PCB180 (non dioxin-like PCBs) |
|---|---|---|---|
Poultry* | 1.75 pg/g of fat | 3.0 pg/g of fat | 40 ng/g of fat |
Pork* | 1.0 pg/g of fat | 1.25 pg/g of fat | 40 ng/g of fat |
Beef, lamb, and goat meat* | 2.5 pg/g of fat | 4.0 pg/g of fat | 40 ng/g of fat |
Most fish and fishery products** | 3.5 pg/g of wet weight | 6.5 pg/g of wet weight | 75 ng/g of wet weight |
Raw milk and dairy products* | 2.0 pg/g of fat | 4.0 pg/g of fat | 40 ng/g of fat |
Eggs (except goose eggs)* | 2.5 pg/g of fat | 5.0 pg/g of fat | 40 ng/g of fat |
Vegetable oils | 0.75 pg/g of fat | 1.25 pg/g of fat | 40 ng/g of fat |
Foods for infants and young children | 0.1 pg/g of wet weight | 0.2 pg/g of wet weight | 1.0 ng/g of wet weight |
* For foods with fat content <2%, the maximum level applies to the whole product and is calculated as the fat-based limit x 0.02.
** Different limits apply to wild-caught freshwater fish, spiny dogfish, eel, fish liver, and marine oils.
T-2 and HT-2 toxins
T-2 and HT-2 toxins are mycotoxins produced by certain Fusarium fungi. Binding maximum levels were introduced by Regulation (EU) 2024/1038, which was incorporated into Regulation (EU) 2023/915 and has applied since July 2024. The levels are based on EFSA's 2017 scientific report, which found that especially infants, toddlers, and other children may be exposed to unsafe amounts of T-2 and HT-2 toxins.
Table 9: Maximum levels of T-2 and HT-2 toxins in selected food products
Product | Sum of T-2 and HT-2 toxins (µg/kg) |
|---|---|
Unprocessed oat with husk | 1,250 |
Unprocessed malting barley | 200 |
Other unprocessed barley | 150 |
Unprocessed maize and durum wheat | 100 |
Other unprocessed grains (except maize for wet milling and rice) | 50 |
Oat flakes and other oat products for direct human consumption | 100 |
Barley, maize, and durum wheat for direct human consumption | 50 |
Breakfast cereals containing at least 50% cereal bran, oats, maize, barley, or durum wheat | 50 - 75* |
Other breakfast cereals, pasta, cereal snacks, and bakery wares | 20 |
Baby food and cereal-based food for young children (limit applies to dry matter content) | 10 |
* The higher limit applies to products with at least 40% oat content.
Perchlorate
Perchlorate is a contaminant that may end up in food from several sources, including natural fertilizers and contaminated irrigation water. The risk of contamination is highest for fruits, vegetables, tea, and dried herbal infusions, for which maximum perchlorate levels are set in Regulation (EU) 2023/915. Compliance testing is often conducted as simultaneous chlorate and perchlorate analysis.
Table 10: Maximum perchlorate levels in selected foods
Product | Maximum level of perchlorate (mg/kg) |
|---|---|
Cucumber, squash, pumpkin, zucchini, and other plants of the Cucurbitaceae family, kale | 0.10 |
Leaf vegetables and herbs | 0.50 |
Beans with pods | 0.15 |
Other fruits and vegetables | 0.05 |
Dried tea and herbal infusions | 0.75 |
Infant formula and follow-on milk | 0.01 |
3-MCPD and 3-MCPD fatty acid esters
3-MCPD and its fatty acid esters are processing contaminants that form mainly when vegetable oils are refined at high temperatures. According to EFSA, safe consumption levels may be exceeded for children who consume infant formula ot other foods that contain refined oils. Regulation (EU) 2023/915 sets maximum levels for the sum of 3-MCPD and 3-MCPD fatty acid esters, expressed as 3-MCPD, in certain fats, oils and foods for young children. Separate limits for free 3-MCPD apply to hydrolyzed vegetable protein and soy sauce.
Table 11: Maximum levels for the sum of 3-MCPD and 3-MCPD fatty acid esters in selected foods
Food product | Maximum level (µg/kg) |
Coconut, maize, rapeseed, sunflower, soybean, palm kernel, and olive oils and fats (except virgin olive oil) | 1,250 |
Other vegetable oils and fats, fish oils, and other marine oils (including refined olive oils and pomace olive oils) | 2,500 |
Oils and fats for the production of baby food and cereal-based food for young children | 750 (500 from 1.1.2027) |
Liquid infant formula and follow-on milk | 12 |
Baby food and cereal-based food for young children | 50 (from 1.1.2027) |
Compound foods with >5% fat content and added oils and fats* | 1,250–2,500 µg/kg of fat |
* Depending on the oils and fats used, following the division outlined above.
PFAS and PAH compounds
Maximum levels for perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in food were introduced by Regulation (EU) 2022/2388, and they took effect at the beginning of 2023. The levels apply to PFOS, PFOA, PFNA, PFHxS, and their sum in eggs, fishery products, meat, and offal. See our article on EU PFAS regulationsfor more information and a list of maximum levels by food category.
First EU limits for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in food were introduced in 2005, with benzo(a)pyrene used as an indicator substance for PAH presence. The current approach of measuring the sum of benzo(a)pyrene, benz(a)anthracene, benzo(b)fluoranthene, and chrysene (known together as PAH4) in addition to benzo(a)pyrene alone was adopted in 2011, following EFSAs 2008 scientific opinion. More information (including maximum levels by food category) can be found in our article on PAH analysis.
Regulation (EU) 2017/2158 on acrylamide
Acrylamide is a potentially carcinogenic chemical that forms in starchy foods during cooking at high temperatures. While it is currently not included in Regulation (EU) 2023/915, Regulation (EU) 2017/2158 sets benchmark levels for acrylamide in selected foods. These are used to evaluate the effectiveness of mitigation measures aimed at minimizing acrylamide content.
Table 12: Benchmark levels for acrylamide in selected foods
Food product | Benchmark level of acrylamide (µg/kg) |
|---|---|
Ready-to-eat french fries | 500 |
Potato crisps and potato-based crackers | 750 |
Other crackers | 400 |
Wheat-based soft bread | 50 |
Other soft bread | 100 |
Wheat- and rye-based breakfast cereals, bran, and whole grain cereals | 300 |
Maize-, oat-, spelt-, barley-, and rice-based breakfast cereals | 150 |
Biscuits, wafers, and crispbread | 350 |
Gingerbread | 800 |
Roasted coffee | 400 |
Instant coffee | 850 |
Biscuits for young children | 150 |
Other baby foods and cereal-based foods for young children | 40 |
Indicative levels for alternaria toxins
There are currently no binding maximum limits for alternaria toxins in EU food contaminant legislation, but monitoring is recommended under Commission Recommendation (EU) 2022/553.8 The Annex to the recommendation sets indicative levels based on occurrence data in EFSA's database. If these levels are exceeded, the causes should be investigated.
Table 13: Indicative levels for alternaria toxins in certain foods
Food product | Alternariol (AOH), µg/kg | Alternariol monomethyl ether (AME), µg/kg | Tenuazonic acid (TeA), µg/kg |
|---|---|---|---|
Processed tomato products | 10 | 5 | 500 |
Paprika powder | - | - | 10,000 |
Sesame seeds | 30 | 30 | 100 |
Sunflower seeds | 30 | 30 | 1,000 |
Sunflower oil | 10 | 10 | 100 |
Tree nuts | - | - | 100 |
Dried figs | - | - | 1,000 |
Cereal-based foods for young children | 2 | 2 | 500 |
Regulation (EC) 396/2005 on pesticide residues
Regulation (EC) 396/2005 limits the maximum levels of pesticide residues in food and feed of plant and animal origin. The consolidated version of the document contains all the amendments, of which there are more than 200.9 As there are hundreds of pesticides and food categories that Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs) apply to, it is impossible to summarize them here. Instead, the EU Pesticides Database can be used to check which residue limits apply to any given product group.
Food contaminant analysis by EU regulations
Food contaminant analysis can be performed using several analytical methods, such as HPLC, GC-MS/MS, and ICP-MS. The choice of the most appropriate testing method depends on the screened contaminants, sample characteristics, and the required detection limit. For example, pesticide residue screening is performed using the GC-MS/MS and LC-MS/MS methods, which allow for a very low, 3–10 ppb (parts-per-billion) detection limit.
Measurlabs provides a comprehensive selection of accredited food and feed contaminant testing services. Our prices are competitive for large annual sample volumes, and we can offer almost any contaminant analysis in one place, meaning that you'll save time you'd otherwise spend on communicating with multiple laboratories. Don't hesitate to get in touch with our experts through the form below to discuss your testing needs.
References:
1 Regulation (EU) 2023/915 on EUR-Lex (Consolidated version from 19/08/2025 (DD/MM/YYYY))
3 Regulation (EU) 2024/1987 as regards maximum levels of nickel in certain foodstuffs.
6 EFSA on pyrrolizidine alkaloids
8 Commission Recommendation (EU) 2022/553 on monitoring the presence of Alternaria toxins in food
9 Commission Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 on EUR-Lex (Consolidated version from 19/08/2025 (DD/MM/YYYY))