Cadmium

Norway Implements EU Cadmium Limits for Tigernuts and Cultivated Mushrooms

Norway has implemented and notified EEA incorporation of EU Regulation 2023/1510, which adjusts cadmium limits for tigernuts and certain cultivated mushrooms under the EU contaminants framework. Food business operators supplying these products into Norway and the wider EEA should confirm that product cadmium levels comply with the revised maximum limits and align monitoring and risk assessments with the updated contaminant regime.

23 May 2026, 11:12regjeringen.noEuropean UnionEuropean Economic AreaNorway

EEA Joint Committee Incorporates EU Cadmium Limits in Foodstuffs (Decision No 13/2026)

The EEA Joint Committee has adopted Decision No 13/2026 to incorporate the EU regulation tightening maximum cadmium limits across a wide range of foodstuffs into the EEA Agreement, aligning EEA EFTA States with the EU regime. Food and beverage businesses supplying EEA markets should reassess cadmium monitoring and supplier controls, especially for vegetables, cereals, cocoa products and infant foods, to ensure products consistently meet the stricter limits now embedded in EEA law.

20 May 2026, 10:00eur-lex.europa.euEuropean Economic AreaEuropean Union

CEC Begins Review of SEM Submission on Hazardous Waste Disposal in Blainville (Quebec, Canada)

In May 2026, the Commission for Environmental Cooperation began reviewing a public submission alleging that Canada is failing to enforce federal wildlife and water-protection laws in relation to hazardous waste disposal and extreme cadmium contamination at the Blainville Great Bog in Quebec. This early-stage case signals growing scrutiny of heavy-metal waste management in Canada and could foreshadow stronger enforcement expectations or policy responses for operators managing hazardous waste and contaminated water.

14 May 2026, 05:55cec.orgCanada

Netherlands Tightens Lead and Cadmium Limits for Ceramic Food-Contact Materials Under Commodities Act Regulation

From 29 May 2026 the Netherlands will enforce significantly lower lead and cadmium migration limits for ceramic food-contact materials under its Commodities Act regulation, implementing a Benelux safeguard decision. Manufacturers and importers of ceramic tableware and packaging must verify compliance with the new specific migration limits and adapt glazes and formulations before the 1 December 2026 placing-on-market cut-off for legacy stock to avoid future non-compliance and potential loss of Benelux trade.

7 May 2026, 06:05zoek.officielebekendmakingen.nlNetherlands

US Federal Court Complaint Alleges Heavy Metals in Baby Sunscreens Sold via Amazon

In April 2026, consumers filed a federal class action in Washington alleging Amazon misled parents by selling baby and kids mineral sunscreens contaminated with lead and cadmium while marketing them as gentle and free of harmful chemicals. The case underscores rising litigation risk around undisclosed heavy metals in personal care products and may drive tighter supplier testing, ingredient disclosure, and marketing controls for child-focused cosmetics sold online.

6 May 2026, 07:29courtlistener.comUnited States

California OEHHA Publishes Cadmium Advisory Tissue Levels Report and Fish Consumption Guidance

In April 2026, California’s OEHHA published a technical report establishing advisory tissue levels for cadmium in sport-harvested fish and shellfish, alongside new consumer guidance in English and Spanish. These cadmium benchmarks will shape future fish consumption advisories and risk communications in California, signalling greater scrutiny of heavy metal contamination for fisheries and seafood supply chains.

5 May 2026, 16:01oehha.ca.govUnited States

China MEE Publishes Marine Biological Water Quality Benchmark — Cadmium (2026 Edition) and Technical Report

In April 2026, China’s Ministry of Ecology and Environment published a national marine biological water quality benchmark for cadmium, setting short- and long-term concentration thresholds for cadmium in seawater. These benchmarks provide a scientific reference for managing marine cadmium pollution and may tighten expectations on discharges, risk assessment and monitoring in coastal and offshore operations.

5 May 2026, 14:14mee.gov.cnChina

US OSHA Schedules ACCSH Meeting on Chemical and Tree Care Rulemakings

OSHA has scheduled a virtual meeting of the Advisory Committee on Construction Safety and Health on 19–20 May 2026 to review major chemical carcinogen standards and a tree care proposed rule, with written comments due on 13 May 2026. This signals continued momentum in tightening workplace exposure limits for high-hazard substances in construction, giving stakeholders a near-term window to influence technical requirements and implementation timelines.

3 May 2026, 07:35public-inspection.federalregister.govUnited States

Finland Proposes Temporary 100 mg/kg Cadmium Limit for Inorganic Phosphorus Fertilisers

Finland has notified the EU of a draft decree that would, for a limited period from 2026, set a cadmium limit of 100 mg per kilogram of phosphorus for certain inorganic fertilisers with phosphorus content at or above 2.2 per cent by mass, while retaining existing contaminant limits for other fertilisers and confirming that products purchased when compliant may continue to be used. Fertiliser manufacturers and importers targeting the Finnish market should review formulas and sourcing strategies against this proposed 2026–2028 derogation window, as it may temporarily ease cadmium-related constraints for high-phosphorus products while still requiring alignment with longer term EU and national heavy metal policies.

28 Apr 2026, 19:48technical-regulation-information-system.ec.europa.euFinland

California Assembly Amends And Re-Refers Infant Formula Heavy-Metals Testing Bill AB 2302

In April 2026, the California Assembly amended AB 2302 on infant formula heavy-metals testing and consumer disclosure and advanced it to the Appropriations Committee, phasing brand-owner website and QR-code labelling obligations in from 1 January 2028 while retaining strict monthly testing duties for manufacturers. Infant formula manufacturers and brand owners selling into California should plan for accredited monthly testing of each product line and build systems, labels, and online disclosures to publish batch-level aluminum, arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury results in time for the 2028 start date.

22 Apr 2026, 13:58leginfo.legislature.ca.govUnited States

France – National Assembly Proposes Commission of Inquiry on Cadmium Pollution and Health Impacts

French lawmakers have tabled a parliamentary resolution to create a commission of inquiry into cadmium pollution, citing alarming biomonitoring data showing widespread population exposure from food and long‑standing inaction on fertiliser limits. If adopted, this inquiry would significantly raise political pressure for tighter cadmium controls in fertilisers, agriculture, and food supply chains, increasing regulatory risk for chemical and farming businesses operating in France.

21 Apr 2026, 14:40assemblee-nationale.frFrance

Walloon Region Publishes Geoportal Map of Probable Cadmium Concentrations in Soils

In April 2026, the Walloon authorities published an official Geoportal map showing probable cadmium background concentrations in agricultural and forest soils across Wallonia, based on more than 9,000 soil analyses and aligned to existing soil decree thresholds. This tool strengthens implementation of existing soil contamination rules by giving regulators and consultants a quick screening view of cadmium levels, but because it does not capture local anomalies it should trigger targeted sampling and risk assessments rather than replace them.

16 Apr 2026, 16:05geoportail.wallonie.beBelgium

Wisconsin Legislature Fails to Pass AB1071 on Toxic Heavy Metals in Baby Food

In March 2026, the Wisconsin Legislature failed to pass AB1071, a bill that would have required baby food manufacturers to disclose testing for arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury via QR code labels and detailed website postings. This outcome leaves current practice unchanged in Wisconsin but underscores growing legislative scrutiny of toxic heavy metals in infant nutrition that food and formula producers should continue to monitor for future policy moves.

16 Apr 2026, 15:35docs.legis.wisconsin.govUnited States

California AB 2302: Heavy Metal Testing And Digital Labelling For Infant Formula

California’s AB 2302 has advanced in the Assembly and would require monthly testing and digital consumer disclosure of aluminium, arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury in all infant formula sold or distributed in the state. If enacted, infant formula manufacturers and brand owners would need to upgrade laboratory programmes, data systems, and QR code labelling to demonstrate control of heavy metals in California-bound products and align with evolving FDA action levels.

16 Apr 2026, 13:39leginfo.legislature.ca.govUnited States

Connecticut Senate Journal Records Favourable Report For S.B. 118 On Toxic Heavy Metals In Baby Food

Connecticut is advancing legislation to impose strict heavy metal limits and mandatory monthly batch testing for baby food products starting January 2027. Manufacturers should prepare for significant operational shifts toward high-frequency testing and digital transparency requirements, including mandatory QR-code labeling for consumer risk disclosure.

2 Apr 2026, 08:37cga.ct.govUnited States

France (ANSES) Calls For Cadmium Limits In Fertilisers To Address Food Overexposure

France’s ANSES has recommended immediate regulatory tightening of cadmium limits in fertilizers and food to address widespread population overexposure. This move signals a shift toward stricter concentration thresholds and mandatory labeling, necessitating urgent supply chain reviews for high-risk agricultural inputs and food products.

1 Apr 2026, 14:16anses.frFrance

France Advances "Socle Commun" Rules on Fertilising Materials Towards Mid-2026 Publication

France is finalizing the Socle Commun regulatory framework for fertilising materials, with final adoption and publication expected by mid-2026. Manufacturers face significantly stricter contaminant thresholds for heavy metals and organic pollutants alongside expanded monitoring obligations for arsenic and dioxins.

31 Mar 2026, 19:29agriculture.gouv.frFrance

Norway Announces Risk-Relief Scheme for Onion Producers in Innlandet Affected by Cadmium Limits

Norway has proposed a 95 percent risk-relief scheme for onion producers to offset financial losses from stricter cadmium limits starting in 2026. This measure highlights the escalating economic risk for agricultural supply chains as heavy metal thresholds tighten, necessitating proactive contaminant management and financial contingency planning.

29 Mar 2026, 17:00regjeringen.noNorway

Japan MOE Reports FY Reiwa 6 Enforcement Status Under Agricultural Land Soil Contamination Prevention Law

Japan has achieved a 94.3% remediation rate for agricultural land contaminated with heavy metals as of the end of fiscal year 2024. Persistent monitoring of cadmium levels in rice signals a long-term regulatory commitment to soil quality that directly impacts agricultural supply chain integrity and food safety.

14 Mar 2026, 08:23env.go.jpJapan

California Assembly Proposes Heavy Metal Testing And Labelling Rules For Infant Formula

California has proposed AB 2302 mandating monthly heavy metal testing and digital disclosure for all infant formula sold in the state. This signals a shift toward batch-level transparency and digital labeling that will require significant upgrades to supply chain data management and laboratory coordination.

12 Mar 2026, 07:28leginfo.legislature.ca.govUnited States