Project: Risk reduction strategies for chemical contaminants in primary production
Project leader: Sarah Thornber
Member funded project
Running: Jan 2016 – Dec 2018
Project Number: 145292
Proposal documentation
Risks to human health associated with chemical contaminants in the food and feed chain
are increasing. These are likely to have a direct or indirect impact as hazards to human
health. These hazards may arise from the natural environment or from inputs applied at
the stage of primary production or during further processing. The control of contaminants
in staple foods is especially important given their major contribution to the human diet.
This project will help members understand where chemical contaminants originate from
and the route by which they contaminate food products during primary production.
Factors affecting levels of chemical contaminants in food products are likely to include:
growing site history, source of fertiliser/organic manure, soil pH and irrigation water and
varietal choice. Guidance will be produced to help members to minimise contaminant
levels through agronomic interventions, selection of growing sites and cultivar choice.
MIG updates:
