Regional Variation in Heavy Metal Levels of Food-Grade Quicklime in Türkiye

Heavy metal contamination in food-grade quicklime sourced from various regions of Türkiye was evaluated to assess its safety for applications such as dessert preparation, cheese production, sugar refining, and pH adjustment in the food industry. Quicklime (calcium oxide, CaO), commonly used as a food additive, was tested for heavy metal content to determine compliance with international safety standards. Samples collected from different cities (Mersin, Adana, Bursa, Antalya, Balıkesir, İzmir, Manisa) were analyzed using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). A total of 17 heavy metals-beryllium (Be), aluminum (Al), vanadium (V), chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), arsenic (As), selenium (Se), strontium (Sr), cobalt (Co), cadmium (Cd), barium (Ba), mercury (Hg), and lead (Pb)-were determined. Concentrations were compared against internationally recognized safety standards, including those of the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA). The results revealed that most heavy metals, including aluminum, arsenic, mercury, lead, and cadmium, were within permissible limits for food-grade materials. However, elevated levels of iron and zinc were observed, with iron ranging from 7.81 ± 0.00 mg/kg (Antalya-1) to 183.38 ± 56.70 mg/kg (Bursa-1), and zinc ranging from 11.78 ± 0.46 mg/kg (İzmir-1) to 18.52 ± 1.34 mg/kg (Manisa-1), although these levels remained below the recommended daily intake values. These findings highlight the importance of sourcing quicklime from reliable suppliers and implementing strict quality control procedures to ensure its safe use in food production. Additionally, environmental factors such as soil composition, industrial activity, and water sources, as well as production practices including raw material selection and processing methods, influence the heavy metal content. Continued monitoring and expanded research are necessary to maintain food safety standards and support regulatory policies for the use of quicklime in food applications.