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UK monitoring programme for nitrate in lettuce and spinach 2000-2002
Monday 6 September 2004
Food Survey Information Sheet 63/04.
The results of the 2000, 2001 and 2002 monitoring programmes for nitrate in lettuce and spinach are reported. Samples of UK lettuces and spinach were obtained from seven growing regions (Southeast England, Humberside, East Anglia, Lancashire, Southwest England, Scotland and Northern Ireland). Local authority trading standards officers co-ordinated the collection of samples and Public Analyst laboratories performed the analyses for nitrate. Samples of imported lettuce and spinach were also analysed in this survey.
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Nitrate is a natural component of vegetables although the levels present are affected by growing conditions, fertiliser use and plant species/variety.
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The UK has carried out annual monitoring for nitrate in lettuce and spinach since 1996. Every Member State in the European Union is required to monitor and report levels of nitrate in lettuce and spinach as part of a European Commission Regulation.
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European Commission Regulation 563/2002 sets maximum levels for nitrate in lettuce and spinach, but it also permits UK growers to be exempted from meeting these limits for a transitional period ending on the 1 January 2005 (derogation period).
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The UK is applying the optional derogation in order to allow UK growers to meet the limits through changes in agricultural practice (ie applying the Code of Good Agricultural Practice). Consumers are protected because we still have to ensure, through monitoring, that nitrate levels do not exceed safety limits. Our estimates demonstrate that UK consumers are not exposed to unsafe levels of nitrate through consumption of lettuce and spinach.
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The levels of nitrate detected in lettuce and spinach in the reported surveys do not pose a risk to consumers' health as dietary exposure is assessed to be within the Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) set by the European Commission's Scientific Committee for Food (SCF). No regulatory or other action has been taken.
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Lettuce and spinach make an important contribution to good health and their consumption, as part of a balanced diet, is encouraged.
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The Agency will continue to monitor the incidence and levels of nitrate in lettuce and spinach as required by EU legislation.
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Related links
FSIS: Nitrate in lettuce and spinach 2000-2002
See the full survey (pdf 65kb)
Download pdf
(pdf 65KB)
Retail salad survey
Supplementary survey
(External)
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