Health Canada

Radionuclides are elements that release energy called radiation. Radionuclides originate from both natural (e.g. soil and rock) and artificial (e.g. certain industrial, military and medical applications) sources...

The determination of the trace element concentrations in food is important for consumer safety. Trace elements are metals that are present in low concentrations in air, water and soil. Thirty-four trace elements are commonly measured in TDS food sample composites. Although mercury and fluoride...

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are a class of industrial chemicals that were used in a wide variety of applications including transformer oils, paints, and lubricants. PCBs are lipophilic compounds and accumulate in the tissues of biological organisms and bioconcentrate through the food chain....

DEHA Di-(2-ethylhexyl) adipate (DEHA) is widely used as a plasticizer in food contact materials, such as PVC food wrapping or cling films used to rewrap meat poultry, fish, cheese, and other foods. DEHA can also be found in PVC gaskets of lids for glass jars. Like other plasticizers, DEHA is not...

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical used in the production of polycarbonate (PC) and epoxy resins. PC is used in food storage containers such as water bottles, and epoxy resins are used in the internal coating for food and beverage cans to protect the food from direct contact with metal. Under...

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a natural toxin produced by fungal species in the genera Aspergillus and Penicillium. This naturally occurring toxin can be found in a broad group of agricultural products such as cereal grains, coffee, and fruits. Higher levels of OTA can result from the improper storage of...

Mercury is a naturally occurring element that is also present in the environment as a result of human activities. Water bodies can be contaminated with mercury from industrial sources, such as pulp and paper mills, and from the soil when large reservoirs are created by hydro-electric dams....

Learn about the Canadian Total Diet Study (https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/food-nutrition/food-nutrition-surveillance/canadian-total-diet-study.html) Search through Health Canada's food contaminant data on CANLINE...