title: Retrospective evaluation of lead contamination in honey from 2005 to present in northeastern Italy and future perspectives in the light of updated legislation.
abstract: Lead is a naturally occurring element but largely originating from human activities. Food is the major source of exposure to lead for humans and the publication of a scientific opinion from the European Food Safety Authority on the risks to human health related to the presence of lead in foodstuffs, led European Union to establish more restrictive limits for this contaminant in food from 1 January 2016. In particular, a maximum level of 0.10 mg kg(-1) was established for honey. The retrospective evaluation of 995 honey samples analysed since 2005, revealed a progressive reduction in the concentration of lead, with a mean value of 0.045 mg kg(-1) in 2015. Total 1.5% of honeys analysed in 2015 exceeded the maximum lead level and therefore will no longer be marketable. Interested beekeepers should clarify the causes of honey contamination and adopt corrective actions to keep their honey production within the legal levels of lead.
authors.affiliation: a National Reference Centre of Beekeeping , Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie , Padua , Italy.
authors.forename: Marianna
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Martinello
authors.affiliation: a National Reference Centre of Beekeeping , Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie , Padua , Italy.
authors.forename: Nicoletta
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Dainese
authors.affiliation: a National Reference Centre of Beekeeping , Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie , Padua , Italy.
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Manzinello
authors.affiliation: a National Reference Centre of Beekeeping , Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie , Padua , Italy.
authors.forename: Alice
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Borin
authors.affiliation: a National Reference Centre of Beekeeping , Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie , Padua , Italy.
authors.forename: Albino
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gallina
authors.affiliation: a National Reference Centre of Beekeeping , Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie , Padua , Italy.
authors.forename: Franco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mutinelli
mesh_terms: D002274:Carcinogens, Environmental / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity; D055664:Electrochemical Techniques; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000032:analysis* / Q000633:toxicity; D005062:European Union; D005506:Food Contamination / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000517:prevention & control; D005513:Food Inspection / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D059022:Food Safety; D005517:Foodborne Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D006722:Honey / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis* / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D006851:Hydrochloric Acid / Q000737:chemistry; D007202:Indicators and Reagents / Q000737:chemistry; D007558:Italy; D007854:Lead / Q000032:analysis* / Q000633:toxicity; D007855:Lead Poisoning / Q000517:prevention & control; D007881:Legislation, Food; D057230:Limit of Detection; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D062211:Spatio-Temporal Analysis
chemical_list: D002274:Carcinogens, Environmental; D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D007854:Lead; D006851:Hydrochloric Acid
keywords: Lead; anodic stripping voltammetry; honey; maximum level