Draft Sanitation Standard for Contaminants and 
Toxins in Food  - amended the Article 6  and Article 3 
Appendix  1  
 
 
Article 3    
The maximum levels of metals in food shall meet the standard on Appendix 1.  
 
Article 6    
This standard shall be implemented from 1 January, 2019 . 
The articles of this standard amended on 17th June 2020 shall apply form 1 
January 2021.  
The articles of this standard amended on 4 February 2021  shall apply form 1 
July 2021.  
The articles of this standard amended on 31 May 2022 shall apply form 1 
January  2024. 
The articles of this standard amended on 13 November  2023 shall apply form 1 
July 202 4. 
 Appendix1 . Maximum levels (ML)  of metals in food s 
1 Total Arsenic  (As-tot) and I norganic Arsenic  (As-in) 
Foodstuffs  ML (mg/kg)  
As-tot As-in 
1.1 Grains    
1.1.1  Rice (husked ), for example brown rice, milled 
rice with embryo   0.35(1) 
1.1.2  Rice (Polished), for example polished rice   0.2(1) 
1.1.3  Rice destined for the production of food for 
infants and young children  (2)  0.1(1) 
1.1.4  Other cereal grains  1  
1.2 Seaweed    1.0(3) 
1.3 Aquatic animal    
1.3.1  Fish  0.5(3) 
1.3.2  Bivalve molluscs ( exclude  shell), Cephalopod 
(exclude  organ)    0.5(3) 
1.3.3  Muscle meat of crustaceans, include muscle meat 
from appendages   0.5(3) 
1.3.4  Other aquatic animal  (4)  0.5(3) 
1.4 Edible fats and oils  (5)   
1.4.1  Fats and oils  intended for direct human 
consumption  (6) 0.1  
1.4.2  Fat spreads and blended spreads (7) 0.1  
1.5 Bottled and packaged drinking water  0.01  
1.6 Beverage ( exclude  natural and concentrated fruit 
and vegetable juices)  0.2  
1.7 Salt, food grade  (8) 0.2  
1.8 Ice cubes , food grade  (9) 0.01  
2 Lead  
Foodstuffs  ML (mg/kg)  
2.1 Grains   
2.1.1  Cereal  grains , include  rice 0.2 
2.2 Vegetables, fruits and plant origin   
2.2.1  Leafy vegetables.  The ML also applies to 
brassica leafy vegetables . 0.3(3) 
2.2.2  Brassica vegetables. The ML applies to  head 
cabbages , kohlrabi, cauliflower , broccoli  and 
brussels sprouts (“buttons” only).  The ML does 
not apply to brassica leafy vegetables.  0.1(3) 
2.2.3  Root and tuber vegetables. The ML applies to  
whole commodity after removing tops and 0.1(3) adhering soil. Potato must peel. The ML does not 
apply to celeriac.  
2.2.4  Bulb vegetables . The ML applies to  dry onions 
and garlic , must removal of roots , adhering soil 
and whatever parchment skin is easily detached.  0.1(3) 
2.2.5  Fruiting vegetables . The ML applies to  whole 
commodity after removal of stems.  Fresh corn 
without husk , exclude sweet corn.   0.05(3) 
2.2.6  Legume vegetables , including edible pods.  0.1(3) 
2.2.7  Pulses , including edible crops harvested solely 
for dry seeds.  0.2(3) 
2.2.8  Peanuts  0.2(3) 
2.2.9  Cranberry, Currants, Elderberry and Strawberry  0.2(3) 
2.2.10  Other vegetables and fruits , after removal of  
inedible  stones,  stems , caps/crown  and seeds.  0.1(3) 
2.2.11  Table olives  0.4(10) 
2.2.12  Herbs and Spices  0.3(3) 
2.2.13  Seaweed  1.0(3) 
2.2.14  Mushrooms(11) 3(12) 
2.3 Aquatic animal   
2.3.1  Fish 0.3(3) 
2.3.2  Bivalve molluscs (exclude shell)  1.5(3) 
2.3.3  Cephalopod ( exclude  organ)  0.3(3) 
2.3.4  Muscle meat of crustaceans, include muscle meat 
from appendages  0.5(3) 
2.3.5  Other aquatic animal(4) 0.3(3) 
2.4 Livestock and Poultry Products    
2.4.1  Meat of cattle, sheep, pigs and poultry  0.1(3) 
2.4.2  Edible offal of cattle  and sheep  0.2(3) 
2.4.3 Edible offal of pigs  0.15(3) 
2.4.4 Edible offal of poultry  0.1(3) 
2.4.5 Eggs (exclude shell)  0.3 
2.5 Edible fats and oils(5)   
2.5.1  Fats and oils  intended for direct human 
consumption  0.1 
2.5.2  Fat spreads and blended spreads (7) 0.1 
2.6 Milk products   
2.6.1  Milk and secondary milk products(13), milk 
products those removal water shall apply by the 
concentration factors  0.02(10) 
2.6.2  Butter, Cream and other products which m ainly 
containing milk fat  0.1(10) 2.7 Beverage   
2.7.1  Natural fruit and vegetable juices, reconstituted 
fruit and vegetable juices and nectars, except 
concentrated fruit and vegetable juices, and 
juices or nectars  from berries and other small 
fruits  0.03 
2.7.2  Natural fruit and vegetable juices, reconstitute d 
fruit and vegetable juices, and nectars  from 
berries and other small fruits, except  
concentrated fruit and vegetable juices   0.05 
2.7.3  Other beverage intended for direct human 
consumption , except  of foodstuffs listed in 2.7.1, 
2.7.2 and concentrated fruit and vegetable  0.3 
2.8 Bottled and packaged drinking water  0.01 
2.9 Canned foods   
2.9.1  Canned vegetables . The ML does not apply to 
canned brassica vegetables.  0.1 
2.9.2  Canned fruits  0.1 
2.9.3  Other canned foods, exclude canned beverage 
which apply to foodstuffs listed in 2.7.  1 
2.10 Food for infant and young child (2)  
2.10.1  Infant formula  (14)、 follow -up infant formula  (15) 
and young child formula(19)  
 -marketed as liquid  0.010(10) 
 -marketed as powder  0.020(10) 
2.10.2  Infant formula for special medical purposes(16) 
and f oods for special medical purposes intended 
specifically for young child   
 -marketed as liquid  0.010(10) 
 -marketed as powder  0.020(10) 
2.10.3  Cereal based foods for infant and young child(17) 
and baby food(18) 0.050(10) 
2.10.4  Drinks which labelled and sold to infant and 
young child , except of foodstuffs marketed as 
liquid listed in  2.10.1  and 2.10.2  0.020(20) 
2.11 Salt, food grade  (8) 2 
2.12 Ice cubes, food grade  (9) 0.01 
2.13 Honey  0.1 
2.14 Jams and jellies  1 
3 Cadmium  
Foodstuffs  ML (mg/kg)  
3.1 Grains   3.1.1  Rice 0.4 
3.1.2  Wheat grains  0.2 
3.1.3  Wheat bran and wheat germ for direct 
consumption  0.2 
3.1.4  Other cereal grains  0.1 
3.2 Vegetables, fruits and plant origin   
3.2.1  Leafy vegetables. The ML also applies to 
brassica leafy vegetables  0.2(3) 
3.2.2  Brassica vegetables. The ML applies to  head 
cabbages , kohlrabi, cauliflower , broccoli  and 
brussels sprouts (“buttons” only).  The ML does 
not apply to brassica leafy vegetables.  0.05(3) 
3.2.3  Root and tuber vegetables. The ML applies to  
whole commodity after removing tops and 
adhering soil. Potato must peel. The ML does not 
apply to celeriac  and parsnips.  0.1(3) 
3.2.4  Celeriac and parsnips  0.2(3) 
3.2.5  Stalk and stem vegetables . The ML for r hubarb  
only applies  to leaf stems , for g lobe artichoke  
only applies to  flower head.  Celery and 
asparagus  must  remov al of adhering soil.  0.1(3) 
3.2.6  Bulb vegetables . The ML applies to dry onions 
and garlic, must removal of roots, adhering soil 
and whatever parchment skin is easily detached.  0.05(3) 
3.2.7  Fruiting vegetables . The ML applies to whole 
commodity after removal of stems. Sweet corn 
and fresh corn without husk.  0.05(3) 
3.2.8  Legume vegetables , including edible pods  0.1(3) 
3.2.9  Pulses , including edible crops harvested solely 
for dry seeds. The ML does not apply to soy 
bean.  0.1(3) 
3.2.10  Tree nuts, oilseeds and soybeans  (21)  
3.2.10.1  Pine nuts  0.3 
3.2.10.2  Other tree nuts  0.2 
3.2.10.3  Soy beans and peanuts  0.2(3) 
3.2.10.4  Rape seeds  0.15 
3.2.10.5  Mustard seeds  0.3 
3.2.10.6  Linseed and sunflower seed  0.5 
3.2.10.7  Other oilseeds  0.1 
3.2.11  Other vegetables and fruits , after removal of  
inedible  stones,  stems , caps/crown  and seeds.  0.05(3) 
3.2.12  Herbs and spices  0.2(3) 3.2.13  Seaweed   1.0(3) 
3.2.14  Mushrooms  (11) 2(12) 
3.3 Aquatic animal    
3.3.1  mackerel ( Scomber species ), Tuna ( Thunnus 
species, Euthynnus species , Katsuwonus 
pelamis ), Bichique ( Sicyopterus lagocephalus ) 0.1(3) 
3.3.2  Bullet tuna ( Auxis species ) 0.15(3) 
3.3.3  Anchovy ( Engraulis species ) Swordfish ( Xiphias 
gladius ) Sardine ( Sardina pilchardus ) 0.25(3) 
3.3.4  Other fish  0.05(3) 
3.3.5  Bivalve molluscs ( exclude  shell), Cephalopod 
(exclude  organ)  1(3) 
3.3.6  Muscle meat of crustaceans, include muscle meat 
from appendages . 0.5(3) 
3.3.7  Other aquatic animal  (4) 0.3(3) 
3.4 Livestock and poultry Products   
3.4.1  Meat of cattle, sheep, pigs and poultry  0.050(3) 
3.4.2  Meat of horse  0.20(3) 
3.4.3  Liver of  cattle, sheep, pigs, poultry  and horse  0.50(3) 
3.4.4  Kidney of cattle, sheep, pigs, poultry and horse   1.0(3) 
3.5 Bottled and packaged drinking water  0.003  
3.6 Food for infant and young child  (2)  
3.6.1  Infant formula (14) and follow -up infant formula 
(15) – formulae manufactured from cows’ milk 
proteins or protein hydrolysates   
 -marketed as liquid  0.005(10) 
 -marketed as powder  0.010(10) 
3.6.2  Infant formula (14) and follow -up infant formula 
(15) -formulae manufactured form soya protein 
isolates, alone or in a mixture with cows’ milk 
proteins   
 -marketed as liquid  0.010(10) 
 -marketed as powder  0.020(10) 
3.6.3  Cereal based foods for infant and young child(17) 
and baby food(18) 0.040(10) 
3.6.4 Young child formula  (19)-manufactured from 
plant protein isolates other than soya protein 
isolates, alone or in a mixture with cow’s milk 
proteins.   
 -marketed as liquid  0.010(10) 
 -marketed as powder  0.020(10) 
3.6.5 Drinks for infants and young children labelled 0.020(20) and sold as such, other than marketed as liquids 
those mentioned in 3.6.1, 3.6.2 and 3.6.4  
3.7 Salt, food grade  (8) 0.2 
3.8 Chocolate(23)  
 -containing ≧ 50% to <  70%  total cocoa 
solids on a dry matter basis  0.8 
 -containing ≧ 70% total cocoa solids on a dry 
matter basis  0.9 
4  Mercury (Hg) and Methylmercury (MeHg)  
Foodstuffs  ML (mg/kg)  
Hg MeHg  
4.1 Rice 0.05  
4.2 Seaweed   0.5(3)  
4.3 Edible fats and oils  (5)   
4.3.1  Fats and oils  intended for direct human 
consumption, exclude marine oils   0.05  
4.3.2  Marine oils  0.1  
4.4 Aquatic animal  (22)   
4.4.1  Shark, swordfish, tuna and oilfish    2(3) 
4.4.2  Grenadier, bonito, seabream, catfish, 
anglerfish/goosefishes, flounder/ flatfish , mullet, 
rays, scabbard fish, Parastromateus niger , 
sturgeon , Scatophagus argus , eel, gold barracuda   1(3) 
4.4.3  Other fish   0.5(3) 
4.4.4  Bivalve molluscs ( exclude  shell), Cephalopod 
(exclude  organ)    0.5(3) 
4.4.5  Muscle meat of crustaceans, include muscle meat 
from appendages    0.5(3) 
4.4.6  Other aquatic animal  (4)  0.5(3) 
4.5 Bottled and packaged drinking water  0.001   
4.6 Salt, food grade  (8) 0.1  
4.7 Ice cubes, food grade  (9) 0.001   
5 Tin 
Foodstuffs  ML (mg/kg)  
5.1 Canned e dible fats and oils (5) 250 
5.2 Canned beverage  150 
5.3 Canned f ood for infant and young child(2)  
5.3.1  Canned infant formulae  (14) and follow -up infant 
formula (15), exclude dried and powdered 
products  50(10) 5.3.2  Canned i nfant formula for special medical 
purposes  (16), exclude  dried and powdered 
products  50(10) 
5.3.3  Canned cereal based foods for infant and young 
child  (17) and baby food  (18), exclude  dried and 
powdered products  50(10) 
5.4 Other canned foods packed in metallic containers  250 
6 Copper  
Foodstuffs  ML (mg/kg)  
6.1 Eggs (exclude shell)  5 
6.2 Beverage, exclude n aturally and concentrated 
fruit and vegetable juices  5.0 
6.3 Salt, food grade (8) 2 
7 Antimony  
Foodstuffs  ML (mg/kg)  
7.1 Beverage, packed in PET containers  0.15 
7.2 Bottled and packaged drinking water , packed in 
PET containers  0.01 
Note.  
(1) If the total -arsenic concentration is below the ML for inorganic -arsenic, no 
further inorganic -arsenic testing is required.  
(2) The term “infant” means a person not more than 12 months of ag e. The 
term “young child” means a person from the age of more than 12 months up 
to the age of three years (36 months).  
(3) Wet weight basis.  
(4) Other aquatic animals, for example, the sea urchin  and the s ea cucumber . 
(5) Edible fats and oils are derived from  vegetable, animal or marine origin.  
The raw materials shall comply with the provisions of the agricultural 
authorities  include the g ood agriculture  and animal husbandry ; legitimate 
slaughtering, fishing and harvesting ; meet the “Act Governing Food Saf ety 
and Sanitation”, clean and fit for human consumption.  
(6) For marine -origin oil, may decide to screening when applying the ML for 
As-in in marine -origin oil by analyzing  total arsenic (As -tot) in marine 
origin oil. If the As -tot concentration is below  the 0.1 mg/kg for As -in, no 
further testing is required. If the As -tot concentration is above the 0.1 mg/kg 
for As -in, follow -up testing shall be conducted to determine if the As -in 
concentration is above the 0.1 mg/kg.  
(7) The ML does not apply to fat sp reads derived exclusively from milk and/or 
milk products , for example, the butter . 
(8) The food grade salt means obtained from the sea, from underground rock 
salt deposits or from natural brine; it is used as an ingredient of food, both 
for direct sale to the consumer and for food manufacture; the content of NaCl more than 97 % on a dry matter basis; or salt which to drawn from 
seawater 200 meters below sea level or deeper, the content of NaCl more 
than 95 % on a dry matter basis.  It also applies to salt us ed as a carrier of 
food additives and / or nutrients. The by -products from chemical industries 
shall not be used.  
(9) The water material shall comply with the Quality Standard of Drinking 
Water; intended for direct human consumption.  
(10) The ML refers to the product as sold. 
(11) The ML applies to the carpophores, but exclude mycelium.  
(12) Dry weight basis.  
(13) Milk means raw milk, heat -treated milk, sterilized milk, milk for the 
manufacture of milk -based products, which is intended for consumption.  
Secondary milk products mean  those milk products undergone simple 
processing for removal or part removal of certain ingredients such as water, 
milk fat, including milk powders, evaporated milk, skimmed milk.  
(14)” Infant  formula” means a breas t-milk substitute specially manufactured to 
satisfy, by itself, the nutritional requirements of infant from birth to six 
months of age up to the introduction of appropriate complementary 
feeding.  
(15)” Follow -up infant formula” means a food intended for us e as formula of 
the weaning diet for the infant from six months to twelve months of age. 
Not suitable alone for infant under six months consumption.  
(16)” Infant  formula for special medical purposes” means a substitute for 
human milk or infant formula, by itself, the special nutritional requirements 
of infant with specific disorder, disease or medical condition during the 
first months of life up to the introduction of appropriate complementary 
feeding.  
(17)” Cereal  based foods for infant and young child ” means processed  cereal 
based food intended to fulfil the particular requirements of infant in good 
health while they are being weaned, and of young child in good health as a 
supplement to their diet and/or for their progressive adaptation to ordinary 
food, i ncluding cereals which are or have to be reconstituted with milk or 
other liquids,  and pastas , rusks and biscuits . 
(18)” Baby  food” means food intended to fulfil the particular requirements of 
infant in good health while they are being weaned, and of young child in 
good health as a supplement to their diet and/or for their progressive 
adaptation to ordinary food,  exclude  cereal based foods for infant and 
youn g child . For example, the fruit puree , meat puree.  
(19) Young child formula are milk -based drinks and similar protein -based 
products specially designed to supplement the nutrition of young children.  
(20) The ML  refers to the products ready to use (marketed as such or after 
reconstitution as instructed by the manufacturer).  
(21) The ML do not apply to material for crushing and oil refining, provided that the remaining pressed material are not placed on the market  as food. In 
case the remaining pressed material are placed one the market as food , the 
ML apply.  
(22) If the mercury concentration is below or equal the ML for methylmercury, 
no further methylmercury testing is required.  
(23) Chocolate refers to a product  that is made from cocoa products such as 
cocoa butter, cocoa powder or cocoa paste, and can be added with sugar, 
milk products or food additives, does not contain fillings.