France's ANSES Calls for Urgent Action on Cadmium Contamination in Food Chain

On 25 March, the French food safety agency ANSES published a report calling for urgent action to reduce cadmium exposure, warning that the population is primarily exposed through food due to widespread soil contamination. Its assessment shows that dietary intake accounts for up to 98% of cadmium exposure in non-smokers, with staple foods such as cereals, potatoes, and vegetables as the main contributors, while smoking further increases exposure. Biomonitoring data also point to rising cadmium levels in the body, with a notable proportion of the population exceeding health-based thresholds.

ANSES identifies mineral phosphate fertilisers as a key driver of cadmium accumulation in agricultural soils and urges immediate action at source, including stricter limits, improved sourcing of raw materials, and enhanced labelling. It also highlights the need to revisit cadmium limits in food, including imports, alongside promoting agricultural practices that reduce uptake, in order to ensure long-term protection of public health.