Screening and confirmatory methods for the detection of heavy metals in foods

In this chapter the authors highlighted the importance of screening methods of analysis for heavy metals, also the importance to compare the results using confirmatory methods. The analysis was focused on the most important heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, zinc and arsenic. The area selected has been the use of screening methods for heavy metal detection in food and dividing them in electrochemical, optical and bioassay methods. In the case of confirmatory methods, atomic absorption spectrometry, atomic fluorescence spectrometry, inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry have been reported. A detailed description of some applications of screening and confirmatory methods in food safety and control has been reported. The sample treatments were also reported in the chapter highlighting the practical problems of heavy metal contamination encountered during sample treatment and heavy metal detection. A final part dealing with the quality assurance and validation for heavy metals in food has been reported and future trends for both screening procedures and confirmatory methods highlighted.