Tableware Analysis Using ICPE-9000

Introduction

Kitchen utensils and containers regularly come in direct contact with food articles, and therefore can contaminate food with toxic heavy metals, etc. through migration, thus posing a health hazard. In particular, ceramic and glass tableware may be decorated and coated with pigments and glaze which contain toxic lead and cadmium, and physical injury due to migration of these toxic elements becomes a problem. Based on this, the Ministry of Heath, Labour and Welfare of Japan revised the Food Sanitation Act "Standards for Foods and Additives" on July 31, 2008 with respect to Notification No. 370 of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (1959). The main points of revision concerning tableware are (1) standardization according to the material, capacity, and shape of containers, and (2) strengthening of the standard for migration of cadmium and lead in accordance with ISO. The inspection method is a migration test, in which the heavy metal is placed in contact with 4 % acetic acid, assuming vinegar as the easiest dissolution food substance, for 24 hours at ambient temperature to allow migration into the acid solution. Quantitative analysis of the solution is conducted by atomic absorption spectrophotometry or ICP emission spectrometry. ICP-AES (ICP emission spectrometry) is a high- sensitivity technique that allows simultaneous analysis of multiple elements. Here we introduce the analysis of commercial tableware using the Shimadzu ICPE-9000 multi-type emission spectrometer.

October 28, 2009 GMT