After highlighting its presence in foods for children, chocolate, and even old dishware, a new ANSES study reveals the scale of French exposure to cadmium, a heavy metal classified as a “known human carcinogen” by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). And the figures are troubling: far from being marginal, this contamination today affects a sizable portion of the population.
Invisible and odorless, cadmium seeps into our soils… then into our plates. And unlike other pollutants, it accumulates in the body over time, increasing health risks.
An Alarmingly High Threshold
How can we reduce the French population’s exposure to cadmium, this ubiquitous poison? This heavy metal contaminates agricultural soils and then ends up in the foods we consume daily. In light of this, ANSES offers several concrete avenues.
The agency recommends, in particular, “the earliest possible adoption of stricter cadmium limits for fertilizers.” As early as 2019, it already advised lowering inputs to two grams per hectare per year, equivalent to 20 milligrams per kilogram. Yet France today still operates with a threshold of 90 mg/kg, well above scientific recommendations.
Widespread Cadmium Contamination in France
Diet is the main source of cadmium exposure. And the numbers are stark: 47% of adults and nearly one in five children exceed the critical threshold. An exposure level three to four times higher than that observed among our European neighbors.
The most affected foods? Grains (rice, wheat), potatoes, certain vegetables, but also chocolate. All of these everyday items contribute to chronic exposure.
Real Health Risks
Cadmium is classified as a carcinogen, mutagen, and toxic substance. Prolonged exposure can lead to kidney damage, weakened bones (osteoporosis), and developmental disorders in children.
Its peculiarity: it accumulates in the body, especially in the kidneys and liver. Even at low doses, when repeated, it can become dangerous in the long term.
Agriculture: the Heart of the Problem
The primary source of cadmium in our food comes from phosphate-based fertilizers used in agriculture. These fertilizers, often imported, naturally contain this heavy metal.
Even organic farming is not entirely spared. As a result, soils gradually become enriched with cadmium, which is then absorbed by plants.
ANSES therefore calls for a transformation of agricultural practices: using less-contaminated fertilizers, diversifying sources, or developing technologies for “de-cadmiumation.”
How to Reduce Your Daily Exposure?
At the individual level, a few simple habits can already limit risk. It’s advised to vary your diet, avoiding too-regular consumption of the same cereals. Legumes (lentils, chickpeas, beans) are, for example, less contaminated than rice or wheat.
Another key point: opting for a diversified diet helps dilute exposure. Finally, limiting consumption of certain products like chocolate in children can also be prudent.
A Public Health Challenge Still Underestimated
Despite repeated warnings, cadmium remains a topic that is still too little known to the general public. Yet it represents a real public health challenge, linked to our agricultural production methods and our daily eating habits.
Reducing exposure will require strong policy decisions… but also a collective awakening.
