Download The Control of Heavy Metals in Trace Minerals Premixes Heavy

The Control of Heavy Metals in Trace Minerals Premixes
Food safety is a major global concern. Intensive research on food safety has identified that food stuffs
contaminated by pesticides, heavy metals and/or toxins are potential risk to human beings. Heavy
metals, in general are not biodegradable, having long biological half-lives and have the potential
tendency for accumulation in the different body organs leading to unwanted side effects. These metals
can pose a significant health risk to humans, particularly in elevated concentrations above the very low
body requirements. Ingestion of these contaminants by animals causes deposition of residues in meat.
This can be extremely detrimental and critical, keeping in view the toxic nature and extreme negative
effects of these heavy metals on humans, and the high use of animal meat as a food source globally.
Hence contamination with heavy metals is a serious threat because of their toxicity and bioaccumulation in food chain.
Heavy Metals
In general, a metal with a specific gravity greater than about 5.0, especially one that is poisonous is
known as heavy metal. Among heavy metals, Arsenic (As), Cadmium (Cd), Lead (Pb) and Mercury (Hg)
are cumulative poison. These heavy metals persistently accumulate and are not metabolized to other
intermediate compounds. They do not easily breakdown in environment. These metals are also potent
carcinogens and mutagens. Hg, Pb, Cd, and As can also cause neurological signs such as blindness,
anemia, soft-shelled eggs, kidney and renal damage, and sudden death in livestock and considered as
highly toxic.
Since heavy metals have a highly toxic nature, even at relatively minute concentrations, therefore it is
of utmost importance, both for food safety and human health, to closely monitor their concentration
in milk, meat, fish and their products, so as to minimize the risk of heavy metal contamination. Owing
to their toxicity and their possible bio-accumulation, these compounds should be subjected to
mandatory monitoring.
Trace Mineral Premixes: Potential source of heavy metals
The ultimate source of all metallic elements present in our ecosystem is the earth’s crust. Heavy metals
usually occur naturally in the soil environment, but may also be present due to the various
anthropogenic activities. Trace mineral premixes which are meant to be used in animal feed are one of
the most potent carriers of heavy metals apart from other sources of contamination like drinking
water, feed ingredients, and environment through polluted air and aerial sprays in animal rearing area.
The risk of heavy metal contamination associated with trace mineral premix is a concern for feed
manufacturers and the farmers. They should confirm whether their trace mineral supplier companies
are implementing a quality assurance program that addresses their concern. Quality control has to be
at the top of each feed manufacturer’s and farmer’s list whilst choosing a trace mineral premix
supplier.
Technical Release – November 2015
Avitech Stands for Quality Assurance
Avitech is today a leading company in the feed additives and premix sector in India and a key supplier
to leading feed millers in India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Avitech exports specialized feed
additives to several countries in South-East Asia and Africa. Avitech’s Analytical Division is maintaining
a laboratory quality system as per international standard ISO/IEC 17025 and accredited by NABL. The
quality system includes continuous training of its analysts, using validated test procedures and
maintaining international traceability in standards and analytical instruments being used to ensure a
reproducible and credible test result.
Avitech has taken a major step to implement the standards in a more professional way to provide
greater assurance to its customers by augmenting the test facility of Analytical Division. An Atomic
Absorption Spectrophotometer (Make M/S Agilent, Model 240 FS) with VGA accessory has been
installed recently. This instrument is capable of analyzing even volatile elements like Mercury or
Arsenic at ppb level concentrations.
With its long standing experience, growing investment in research, pool of skilled manpower, state of
the art laboratory and production facility, Avitech is committed to serving the industry with quality
premixes and products.
For more information contact:
Avitech Nutrition Pvt. Ltd
GP-37, Udyog Vihar, Sector-18, Gurgaon-122015, Haryana (India)
Ph: +91 124 4011147 / 4278511 / 4278512
Fax: +91-124-4013620
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.avitechnutrition.com
Technical Release – November 2015