[Surveillance of cadmium level in octopus, squid, clam, short-necked clam and chocolate]

In order to investigate cadmium contents in foods sold in Japan, cadmium levels in 40 seafood samples and 30 chocolate samples were measured by means of atomic absorption spectrometry and ICP-OES. We first confirmed the validity of the method according to the guidelines of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. Among 40 seafood samples investigated, cadmium was detected in 31 samples, in which the concentration exceeded half the LOQ (0.025 mg/kg), and the level was ranged from 0.03 to 0.38 mg/kg. We could not find any sample containing cadmium in excess of 2 mg/kg, which the Codex Alimentarius sets as the maximum standard value. Among 30 chocolate samples, cadmium was detected in 21 samples, and the level ranged from 0.025 to 0.54 mg/kg.