New Limits for Nickel in Food
As of July 1, 2025, EU-wide limits for nickel in food will apply for the first time. The new legislation affects, among others, nuts, vegetables, chocolate, and infant food. What do the new rules mean for quality control, analytical methods, and raw material management? And how can a QA team prepare effectively?
Why Nickel Is Suddenly in the Spotlight
Nickel naturally occurs in small amounts in plants and raw materials. However, the substance is not harmless. Young children and people with a nickel allergy are particularly sensitive to dietary exposure.
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has assessed the risk and set a tolerable daily intake (TDI) of 13 micrograms per kilogram of body weight. In practice, this limit is regularly exceeded in toddlers. Even short-term exposure can lead to eczema or other allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.
What Exactly Is Changing?
The new rules are set out in Regulation (EU) 2024/1987, which supplements the existing regulation on contaminants (EU 2023/915). For the first time, legal maximum levels for nickel have been established across various product groups.
The limits apply from July 1, 2025 to, among others:
- Nuts and seeds
- Legumes
- Vegetables (leafy, root, and fruit vegetables)
- Chocolate and cocoa products
- Infant and baby food
- Seaweed
For cereals (such as oats, rice, and pseudo-cereals), a transitional period applies until July 1, 2026.
Some Examples from the Annex
The permissible levels vary considerably by product group. Here are a few examples:
- Cashew and walnuts: 10 mg/kg
- Root and tuber vegetables: 0.90 mg/kg
- Fresh herbs: 1.2 mg/kg
- Soybeans (fresh): 6.0 mg/kg
- Cocoa powder: 15 mg/kg
- Powdered infant formula: 0.25–0.40 mg/kg
- Baby food in jars or pouches: 0.50 mg/kg
Download the overview table HERE
What Does This Mean in Practice?
The new limits call for action, especially in the area of quality control and analysis. Consider the following measures:
- Updating analytical categories with suppliers
- Increased monitoring of high-risk raw materials
- Early planning of nickel analyses for relevant product groups
Attention! Nickel is typically analyzed using ICP-MS and can often be added to the standard heavy metals package, which helps reduce preparation costs.
Are There Transitional Rules?
Yes. Products legally placed on the market before July 1, 2025, may continue to be sold until their best-before or use-by date. For cereals, there is a one-year postponement; limits will apply starting July 1, 2026.
How Can We Help?
As a laboratory, we can support you with:
- Determining nickel content in food using validated analytical methods
- Interpreting analysis results in light of the new regulations
- Periodic monitoring of high-risk raw materials
Would you like to know whether your products or suppliers fall into the risk category? Or would you like to schedule an analysis? Please feel free to contact us at food@gba-group.de