Arsenic and chromium in foods preserved with sodium lactate
What it found
In 17 food products preserved with sodium lactate, arsenic was not found above the lab's detection limit, while chromium was detected at low levels.
The testing was done on food samples, not in people.
What they found
Arsenic not detected
Arsenic was not reported above the detection limits in either the pilot test or the main study of 17 products.
Chromium detected
Chromium was found at concentrations up to 0.30 parts per million in a pilot sample, and at lower levels in the later study.
Dilution effect
The authors suggest the sodium lactate in the sampled products was diluted enough that arsenic stayed below the lab's detection limit.
Possible chromium source
Chromium was detected and may be an unaccounted source of chromium in the diets of vulnerable populations.
What the authors conclude
“Chromium was detected and may be an unaccounted source of chromium in diets of vulnerable populations.”
Also in their conclusions
- They suggest that the sodium lactate in the sampled products was diluted enough for the arsenic concentration to be below the laboratory detection limit.
- They note that chromium was detected and may be an unaccounted source of chromium in diets of vulnerable populations.
How it was done
Earlier work had found arsenic and chromium in sodium lactate concentrate. The authors wanted to check whether these metals could be detected in foods preserved with sodium lactate that people can buy.
They first tested three sodium-lactate-preserved foods from a local market to set the lab's detection and reporting limits for arsenic and chromium. They then randomly sampled and analysed 17 food products.
What it can’t tell you
- We summarised it from the abstract only.
- This study only tested 17 products from one local market, so it cannot show levels in all foods preserved with sodium lactate.
- It cannot show whether the chromium found in these foods would affect people's health.
Who paid
- Authors work at
- Radford University, USA
The paper
- Title
- Evaluation of metal impurities in foods preserved with sodium lactate
- Type
- Study
- Summarised from
- Abstract only
- Cite
- Carter KF, Carter GL (2013). Evaluation of metal impurities in foods preserved with sodium lactate. Journal of environmental health.PubMed 23397646
Summary written 26 Sep 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error