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Elements & Ions

Analysis of toxic elements, essential minerals and ionic species across complex matrices.

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From Trace Contaminants to Essential Minerals

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Elemental and ionic analysis spans multiple analytical objectives within the same matrix. Trace contaminants such as lead, cadmium, mercury or arsenic are determined at regulatory limits, while essential minerals like calcium, iron, zinc or selenium require accurate quantification for nutritional evaluation.

Ionic species add further analytical relevance in safety assessment and quality control. Analytical performance is driven by concentration range, matrix composition and, where applicable, chemical form.

Parameter Portfolio

Complementary analytical categories covering elemental and ionic parameters relevant to food safety, nutritional labelling, water quality, and regulatory compliance across food, feed, and water matrices.

Heavy Metals

Toxic and potentially toxic elements with legally binding maximum levels under Regulation (EU) 2023/915. Determination at trace and ultra‑trace level using ICP‑MS, including element‑specific methods for regulatory differentiation.

Methods: ICP‑MS, AAS

Common analytes: Lead (Pb), Cadmium (Cd), Mercury (Hg), Arsenic (total & inorganic), Nickel (Ni), Tin (Sn), Aluminium (Al), Antimony (Sb), Chromium (Cr)

Minerals

Macro minerals relevant for nutritional labelling and declaration under Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011. Quantification for label compliance, fortification control and dietary supplement assessment.

Methods: ICP‑MS, AAS

Common analytes: Sodium (Na), Potassium (K), Calcium (Ca), Magnesium (Mg), Phosphorus (P), Sodium chloride (NaCl, calculated)

Trace Elements

Essential trace elements required in small amounts for physiological functions. Determination for nutritional labelling, dietary supplement testing, fortification verification and feed premix analysis.

Methods: ICP‑MS

Common analytes: Iron (Fe), Zinc (Zn), Copper (Cu), Selenium (Se), Iodine (I), Manganese (Mn), Chromium (Cr), Molybdenum (Mo), Cobalt (Co), Boron (B), Lithium (Li)

Anions & Cations

Inorganic anions and cations relevant for drinking water compliance (TrinkwV), process water quality and matrix‑specific food parameters.

Methods: Ion Chromatography (IC)

Common analytes: Fluoride, Chloride, Bromide, Nitrate, Nitrite, Sulphate, Phosphate, Chlorate, Chlorite, Bromate, Ammonium, Sodium, Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium

Analytical Scope

Method selection is driven by the element, its concentration range, the required chemical speciation and the matrix. Select an application area to access the corresponding elemental and ionic parameters, analytical methods and regulatory context.

Contaminant Compliance

Verification of heavy metal maximum levels in food and feed according to Regulation (EU) 2023/915. Typical applications include lead in cocoa, cadmium in cereals, mercury in fish, inorganic arsenic in rice and nickel in food.

Illustration Contaminant Compliance

Nutritional Labelling

Determination of mineral and trace element content for nutrition declaration under Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011. Covers sodium (including salt calculation), calcium, iron, zinc and potassium for mandatory and voluntary labelling.

Illustration Nutritional Labelling

Dietary Supplement Testing

Content verification and contaminant screening of dietary supplements, including capsules, tablets, powders and liquids. Confirmation of declared mineral and trace element content and screening for lead, cadmium, mercury and arsenic.

Illustration Dietary Supplement Testing

Drinking Water Compliance

Elemental and ionic analysis according to German TrinkwV. Includes heavy metals, minerals, anions and cations for compliance monitoring. Accredited sampling and analysis.

Illustration Drinking Water Compliance

Feed & Premix Analysis

Determination of minerals and trace elements in compound feed, mineral premixes and pet food. Verification of declared contents and compliance with feed additive authorisations and maximum levels for undesirable substances.

Illustration Feed and Premix Analysis

Food Contact Material Testing

Specific migration testing of metals from food contact materials.

Illustration Food Contact Material Testing

Matrices We Analyse

Our elemental and ionic analysis covers a wide range of food, feed, water and environmental matrices. Matrix‑specific performance parameters depend on analyte, composition and regulatory requirements.

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Food & Ingredients

Cereals, grains, nuts, oilseeds, spices, herbs, cocoa, coffee, tea, fruits and vegetables (fresh and processed), confectionery, edible oils and fats, dairy products, eggs, meat, fish and seafood.

Blue scoop filled with powdered infant formula.

Baby Food & Special Nutrition

Infant formula, follow‑on formula, baby cereals, complementary foods, foods for special medical purposes as well as products for clinical and specialzed nutrition.

Spoon filled with rabbit feed pellets for sale in a forage store.

Feed & Pet Food

Feed materials, compound feed, mineral premixes, forages and pet food products including dry, wet and complementary feed.

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Water & Environmental Samples

Drinking water, raw water, process water and wastewater as well as environmental swab samples.

Regulatory Framework

Elemental and ionic analysis is governed by a layered regulatory framework covering food contaminants, nutritional labelling, drinking water and feed legislation.

The same element may be regulated as a toxic contaminant or as an essential nutrient depending on context – while the analytical determination is identical, regulatory interpretation differs.

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Regulation (EU) 2023/915
Maximum levels for lead, cadmium, mercury, inorganic arsenic, inorganic tin and nickel in food.

Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 (FIC)
Mandatory nutrition declaration; minerals declared when required or voluntarily indicated.

Directive 2002/32/EC
Maximum levels for undesirable elements including arsenic, lead, cadmium, mercury and fluorine.

Regulation (EC) No 1925/2006
Conditions for the addition of vitamins and minerals to foods, including permitted mineral form.

UK Regulatory Framework (Retained EU Law)
Post‑Brexit application of EU‑derived legislation for elemental contaminants, minerals and water parameters under UK law for the Great Britain market.

Related Analytics

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Chemical Contaminants

Process‑ and environment‑related contaminants such as acrylamide, 3‑MCPD, PAH, dioxins/PCBs and PFAS. Can be combined with heavy metal analysis for comprehensive food safety assessment.

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Nutrition

Mineral content forms a core component of nutritional labelling. Elemental analysis can be combined with proximate composition, vitamins and fatty acid profiling for complete nutrition declarations.

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