Food Standards Agency — FS513408 Nitrate Monitoring of Lettuce, Spinach, Rocket and other vegetables

Descriptions

Nitrate is usually present naturally in all vegetables and also arises from the use of nitrogen fertilizers on crops and from nitrate used as a preservative in a small number of foods. Vegetables, particularly, green leafy vegetables (such as lettuce and spinach) contain the highest concentrations of nitrate and the major source of dietary nitrate. The European Commission has set maximum levels for nitrate in lettuce and spinach grown for consumption (Commission Regulation 1881/2006). However, in recognition of the direct effect of climatic conditions on the natural uptake of nitrates by plants, a new regulation — Regulation (EC) No 1258/2011 — amending Regulation 1881/2006, was agreed in December 2011. New maximum limits were also agreed for rocket in April 2012. Under these provisions the Agency is required to carry out national monitoring for nitrate in lettuce, spinach, rocket and other vegetables (to be determined as and when required) and supply the results of nitrate concentrations annually to the Commission. This requirement has so far been met by the UK Monitoring Programme which has been undertaken since May 1996. The current statutory 5-year surveillance programme ends in December 2013 and applications for a further 5-year programme from January 2014 are being sought. It is expected break points will be included in case any new information necessitates the varying of vegetables within the 5-year period.