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National Monitoring Plan for POAO: Data Analysis Report 2022-23

National Monitoring Plan for POAO: Data Analysis Report 2022-23 - Sampling for heavy metals

A summary of the heavy metals sampling results of imported products of animal origin (POAO) undertaken at UK Border Inspection Posts (BCPs), under the UK’s National Monitoring Plan (NMP), between April 2022 and March 2023.

Last updated: 19 April 2024
Last updated: 19 April 2024

There were 546 samples from 22 countries taken and checked for the presence of heavy metals. There was one non-compliant sample for Cadmium Cd from Thailand.

The greatest number of heavy metal samples were taken from India (137 or 25%), followed by Sri Lanka (129 or 24%), Pakistan (66 or 12%), Morocco (40 or 7%) and Myanmar (40 or 7%). Countries marked with an asterisk in the table are shown together as ‘other’ on the chart.

Figure 9 - Samples taken by country of origin and percentage of total

The greatest number of heavy metal samples were taken from India (137 or 25%), followed by Sri Lanka (129 or 24%), Pakistan (66 or 12%), Morocco (40 or 7%) and Myanmar (40 or 7%).
Country of origin Number of samples Percentage
India 137 25%
Sri Lanka 129 24%
Pakistan 66 12%
Morocco 40 7%
Myanmar 40 7%
Ghana 16 3%
Argentina 14 3%
New Zealand 14 3%
Thailand 14 3%
Vietnam 12 2%
Chile* 8 -
China* 8 -
Ecuador* 8 -
Seychelles* 8 -
Papua New Guinea* 7 -
Bangladesh* 4 -
Indonesia* 4 -
Peru* 4 -
South Africa* 4 -
Taiwan* 4 -
Turkey* 4 -
Brazil* 1 -
Total 546 100%

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Of the samples tested for heavy metals, the highest numbers were for cadmium Cd (178) followed by mercury Hg (144), lead Pb (120) and arsenic As (72).

Figure 10 - Samples tested for heavy metals

Hazard Number of samples
Cadmium Cd 178
Mercury Hg 144
Lead Pb 120
Arsenic As 72
Zinc Zn 12
Chromium Cr 11
Copper Cu 8
Tin for canned products 1
Total 546