Effective July 1, 2025, new European legislation will take effect that imposes stricter regulations on the presence of nickel in food. This step is part of a broader approach by the European Union to limit exposure to heavy metals through food and thereby protect public health.
Nickel is a naturally occurring metal in the soil, but it also comes from industrial sources such as fertilizers, irrigation water, atmospheric deposition, or packaging materials. Crops absorb nickel from the soil, and in some areas—for example, near industrial sites or in heavily fertilized agricultural land—nickel levels may be elevated.
Although nickel poses no immediate danger in small amounts, it is a risk factor for sensitive individuals, such as people with a nickel allergy or nickel-sensitive eczema. That is why the EU is tightening the standards.
Effective July 1, 2025:
The exact limits vary by product category and are based on European risk assessments (EFSA).
The new limits apply, among other things, to:
If you’re active in the produce and food industries, it’s essential to prepare for these regulations
Have products tested for nickel content in a timely manner.
Ensure proper documentation of growing conditions and origin.
Collaborate with laboratories, such as Normec Groen Agro Control, that are accredited for trace element analyses.
Inform your supply chain partners and adjust contract terms as necessary.
For consumers, this law provides an additional safeguard for food safety. In particular, people with a nickel allergy or hypersensitivity will receive better protection through food, a source of nickel that has been overlooked until now.
Our experts are happy to brainstorm with you and get you started quickly.
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