United States: one ICP-MS method instead of separate metal determinations
From 20 July 2026 the United States inspection service tests ready-to-eat products for eighteen metals, using samples already collected under the allergen verification programme.
- Notice 29-26 extends metals testing to multi-ingredient processed products containing meat and poultry.
- The new CLG-METALS1 method determines trace elements by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and covers eighteen elements, among them lead, cadmium, arsenic and thallium.
- Mercury is reported routinely by the same method for the first time, for samples collected on or after 20 July 2026.
- Sampling procedures do not change, and establishments do not hold product while waiting for the result.
Source: USDA FSIS — Notice 29-26, Metals Testing for Ready-To-Eat Products