Migration analysis of Cr, Ni, Al, Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, and Mo in internet-bought food serving stainless-steel utensils by ICP-MS and XRF

A total of 120 internet bought stainless-steel utensil samples intended for food serving were analysed for their release of Cr, Ni, Al, Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, and Mo. Samples were extracted using simulants under continuous and discontinuous test conditions, extracts were analysed by ICP-MS, and metallic compositions of utensils were indicated by XRF analysis. r² values for all analytes were determined between 0.9982 and 0.9997. RSD and WRm values ranged between 4.5–8.5% and 80–107% for all analytes, respectively, and LOD was in the range of 0.11–25.8 µg/l. Migration results show that 35% of total sample types show non-compliance with the SMLs established by the Nordic guidelines. XRF data show good correlation between the metals’ migration levels and their respective compositions in the utensil, and toxicological exposure estimates no significant adverse health effects from food served with articles exceeding the SMLs for Fe, Al, and Ni.