Nitrate in lettuce and spinach survey

Thursday 29 September 2005

Monitoring carried out by the Agency has shown that levels of nitrate in UK-grown lettuce and spinach are generally low and there are no concerns for people�s health.

Nitrate occurs naturally in most plants and vegetables. The amount of nitrate in plants is affected by species, fertiliser, variety and growing conditions, particularly the amount of light.

During 2004, a total of 118 samples of UK-grown lettuce were collected and analysed. Twelve of these samples (10 per cent) would have been above the European limits had they applied (the UK operates a derogation). Forty-one samples of iceberg lettuce were analysed, none of which would have exceeded the limits. Forty samples of spinach were analysed and five (13 per cent) would have been above these limits.

Expert scientific committees have considered data on nitrate on a number of occasions and have recommended an Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) of 3.7mg per kg of body weight per day.

Maximum permitted levels of nitrate in lettuce and spinach are set by European legislation. Discussions are currently ongoing in Brussels for an extension to the derogation that would mean that these limits would not apply to UK-grown produce. Estimations of nitrate consumption incorporating data from this monitoring programme show that even the highest nitrate levels in lettuce and spinach are unlikely to cause even consumers who eat a lot of lettuce and spinach to exceed the ADI. This takes into account all sources of nitrate in the diet.

There is therefore no concern for consumer health due to levels of nitrate in UK-grown lettuce or spinach.