The Commercial Feed Regulatory Program (CFRP) is dedicated to ensuring feed and food safety for the benefit of the consumer, demonstrated by obtaining at least 60% of samples for feed safety and 40% for label compliance and quality assurance. In 2023, CFRP began running a heavy metal screen on every mineral premix sampled which includes analysis of arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury. In 2022, only three samples were tested for heavy metals. CFRP increased this effort more than tenfold by testing 36 samples in 2023. To date in 2024, CFRP has already performed 32 heavy metal screens.
The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) published maximum tolerable levels of heavy metals in complete feed (Table 1). These levels are consistent with the maximum tolerance levels for animals published in ‘Mineral Tolerances of Animals’ by the National Research Council, which is based on both animal health and human health regarding accumulation of minerals in edible tissues, milk, and eggs. AAFCO also established levels at which a mineral ingredient would be considered contaminated, and levels at which a mineral ingredient would be prohibited from use in the further manufacturing of feed (Table 1). The tolerance values for mineral ingredients are much higher than the tolerance for complete feed due to the low inclusion rate of mineral ingredients in the total diet.
CFRP did not detect any levels of heavy metals in the 36 samples of mineral ingredients and premixes obtained in 2023 or to date in 2024 above the AAFCO guidelines required (see Table 1). Of all the analyses performed from 2023 to date, 56% showed no detectable levels of heavy metals and of the remaining 44% all but 1 sample had levels well below the tolerance for complete feed. The one sample of a premix which did have a level of lead above the tolerance for complete feed, however well under the tolerance for mineral ingredients, was followed up on by CFRP and the manufacturer. and no further issues were found.
Table 1. AAFCO published maximum tolerable limits of heavy metals in complete feed and mineral ingredients.
| Mercury | Cadmium | Lead | Arsenic | |
| Maximum Tolerable Level in Complete Feed (ppm) | 0.2 | 0.5 | 10 | 30 |
| Labeling of Contaminant Level in a Mineral Ingredient Required Above (ppm)* | 2 | 2 | 42 | 42 |
| Use in Feed Prohibited as a Mineral Ingredient Above (ppm)* | 500 | 500 | 1000 | 1000 |
*This value represents the total ppm of all elements within the same group. For example, the level of mercury and cadmium combined cannot exceed 2 ppm in a mineral ingredient without proper labeling designating the level of contamination.