May 23, 2014 - Ottawa, ON - Canadian Food Inspection Agency
As part of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency's (CFIA) routine testing of various food products, a survey released today reported that all samples of fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy products and infant formulae analyzed for perchlorate were safe for consumption.
The CFIA tested a total of 611 samples, including 433 fresh fruit and vegetable, 89 dairy product (milk, cheese and yogurt), and 89 infant formula samples, collected from Canadian retail stores.
The 2010-2011 study found that 65 per cent of fresh fruit and vegetable, 87 per cent of dairy product, and 63 per cent of infant formula samples analyzed were found to contain very low levels of perchlorate, in the range of 2 to 540 parts per billion (ppb). The highest average concentration of perchlorate detected in any of the food types included in this survey was in cucumbers. However, based on the average perchlorate concentration in cucumbers from this survey, an adult would have to eat approximately 46 cucumbers each day in order to reach a perchlorate dose that may be associated with a subtle measurable effect.
Survey results were reviewed by Health Canada and no safety concerns were identified. No product recalls were required as a result of this survey.
Michael Bolkenius
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Health
613-957-0200
Media Relations
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
613-773-6600
