The monitoring of heavy metals (lead and cadmium) in honeys consumed in Incheon region

This study was conducted to investigate the contents of lead (Pb) and cadmium(Cd) in honeys (n=60) from April to May in 2004 and to provide the scientific basis for heavy metal regulations of Korea Food Code. The samples were digested with acids, then analyzed for the contents of Pb and Cd by an inductively coupled plasma spectrometer (ICP). The contents of Pb and Cd [minimum-maximum (mean)] were 0.189-1.82 mg/kg (0.568) and not detected (ND)-0.016 mg/kg (0.0008) in domestic acacia honeys (n=20), ND-1.702 mg/kg (0.329) and ND-0.243 mg/kg (0.013) in domestic wild flower honeys (n= 18), ND-0.322 mg/kg (0.073), ND-0.027 mg/kg (0.002) in imported honeys (n=13), ND-3.754 mg/kg (0.671) and ND-0.658 mg/kg (0.073) in foreign honeys (n=9) brought by Korean travellers, respectively. According to the results, foreign honeys brought by Korean travellers were detected with the highest level of Pb and Cd. Therefore, we recommend that heavy metals of domestic and foreign honeys should be continuously monitored. It is also thought that these results could be the important references to establish the standard of Pb and Cd in honey.