In addition to nutrients, cultivated crops can also absorb unwanted substances that are naturally present in arable land. One of these substances is cadmium. The levels are low in cereals relative to some other foods, but since much of the food we eat is grain-based, it is still important to control and minimize cadmium levels. Lantmännen works actively to minimize cadmium levels in our food products. This work takes place throughout the chain from field to fork.

Cadmium is an element in the soil

Cadmium is an element (heavy metal) that occurs naturally in the soil. The concentrations vary geographically and between different soil types. Since cadmium is found in the soil and can be absorbed by crops, it occurs in most food we eat, but usually in very low and completely harmless levels.

Cadmium is not acutely toxic but remains in the body for a long time and is stored in the kidneys. Any health risks are related to long-term exposure, i.e. how much you ingest from different sources over time. Research shows that high intake over a long period of time can cause, among other things, impaired kidney function, osteoporosis and contribute to cardiovascular disease.

How much do we eat?

The vast majority of Swedes ingest less cadmium through their food than the guideline values set by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). However, since cadmium is an undesirable substance and a small percentage of the population is likely to exceed the guideline value, it is still important to reduce the amount in the foods we eat as much as possible. 

Cereal products generally contain little cadmium, but are also a category of food that many people eat a lot of. Organ meats, shellfish and certain types of mushrooms are among the foods that can contain high levels. 

In Sweden, the National Food Agency is working on the presence of cadmium and other undesirable substances in food. 

Affect cadmium content in food

Reducing the cadmium content in food requires long-term work on several fronts. It is mainly about where and in what type of soil we choose to grow different crops for different purposes. There is also a need for development in the control and analysis of cadmium levels, at all stages from soil and manure to crops and processed foods.

Work is also needed to minimize further inputs of cadmium to the soil. To some extent, air pollution from incinerators and the use of fertilizers containing cadmium can contribute to higher cadmium levels in the soil.

From a cadmium point of view, there is no difference between organic and conventional production, as the crops risk absorbing naturally occurring cadmium from the soil regardless of the cultivation method.

Lantmännen's work on the cadmium issue

Clear limit values

Lantmännen has been working for a long time to keep cadmium levels as low as possible and follows statutory limit values that vary for different grain products. 

Plant breeding

Another key to lowering the levels further is plant breeding. Lantmännen is actively breeding to reduce the risk of uptake of cadmium in the varieties, which is already contributing to lower exposure for consumers. A higher degree of collaboration between private and public actors and increased joint investments in plant breeding for the Nordic conditions are needed.

Increased precision in sampling

Avoiding grain from arable land with high concentrations is of course a possible measure to reduce cadmium levels in cereals. However, the concentrations in the soil vary greatly at a very local level, i.e. individual fields or parts of fields. Therefore, a refined mapping and new technology are needed to be able to find the parts of the arable land where possible problems may exist. Only then can you go in and see what possible one-off measures can be made in the limited areas. Stopping cultivation in large areas without there being a reason for it is not a resource-efficient way to deal with the issue because arable land is a limited resource. Getting down to the level of detail in the cadmium survey is therefore a key to being able to further reduce the levels in grain products.

Development of analytical methods

Faster methods for analysing cadmium make it easier to control the grain raw material in the processing stage and thus be able to reach even lower levels of cadmium. Lantmännen is participating in a research project where a new technology for rapid cadmium analysis is now being tested.

Controlling the cultivation

Based on knowledge of local cultivation conditions, there is an opportunity to develop the management of where grain for different purposes is best grown. We have been developing the cultivation of durum wheat for pasta on Gotland for a few years now. Durum wheat is otherwise difficult to grow in our Swedish cold climate, but Gotland has proven to have a favourable climate for durum wheat while the cadmium content in the soil is naturally low. It is an example of how to develop added value in cereal cultivation from regions with favourable conditions.

Mineral fertilizers with low cadmium content

Although bedrock is the main determinant of cadmium concentrations, cadmium can accumulate in soils over time due to various factors. A significant source is cadmium deposition from air pollution, especially from various types of combustion processes. In addition, the choice of fertilizer can affect cadmium levels. In Sweden, cadmium concentrations in mineral fertilizers have historically been very low, between 4-8 mg Cd/kg phosphorus.

However, the average cadmium concentrations in phosphorus fertilizers have increased since Russia's war against Ukraine, due to reduced access to low-cadmium phosphorus sources as a result of trade sanctions. Despite this increase, the cadmium content is still well below the legal limit of 100 g of cadmium per tonne of phosphorus.

Cadmium content in phosphorus fertilizers

Cadmium concentrations in phosphorus fertilizer are measured continuously and the level for 2024 was 23.0 grams (22.3) of cadmium per tonne of phosphorus fertilizer. The fact that the concentrations are higher in the past two years compared to before is due to the conversion of volumes from Russia to other suppliers. The volumes previously purchased from Russia have accounted for a large part of Lantmännen's phosphorus fertilizer with low cadmium levels. The concentrations are still far below the statutory limit level of 100 g cadmium/tonne of phosphorus.