Maple
Syrup: What You Can Do to Avoid Lead Contamination
Exposure to lead is known to have adverse effects on human health, especially
on the nervous system, and particularly in children. In recent years, efforts
have been made to eliminate lead in food products, including maple syrup.
The
primary source of lead in maple syrup is from lead-bearing equipment. Maple sap
can react with lead-containing surfaces, allowing lead to leach into the sap.
Lead-bearing equipment includes, but is not restricted to:
- galvanized
equipment manufactured before 1994;
- most bronze and brass fittings;
- soldered
equipment manufactured before 1995;
- terneplate" (a tin/lead alloy
used in older equipment).
Although lead in maple syrup may also come
from lead in the soil due to local rock composition, or from particles deposited
in the soil from atmospheric pollution, lead levels from these sources are generally
considered insignificant.
What You Can Do to Avoid Lead Contamination
- Check and Update Your Equipment:
New or used, equipment
must be manufactured with food-grade materials, either stainless steel, food-grade
plastic, or glass-lined. Repairs must also be made with food-grade materials.
Use lead test kits to identify possible lead sources. Kits may be purchased from
equipment suppliers. - Tell Your Neighbours:
Ask
your neighbours if they have read about and implemented best practices in their
maple operation. A contamination issue with any producer could impact your business,
too. - Test Your Syrup:
When producing maple syrup
each batch should batch or lot coded. If you are using lead-bearing equipment
you should have each batch tested prior to packing and selling to ensure it is
not contaminated with lead. For those buying bulk syrup, protect your interests
by testing every incoming lot. Testing of syrup should be done by a recognized
accredited laboratory. For the location of an accredited laboratory near you,
please contact us.
Contacts:
John Henderson,
Risk Management Specialist
Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural
Affairs
95 Dundas St., RR#3
Brighton, Ontario, K0K 1H0
john.henderson@ontario.ca
tel: (613) 475-5175 fax: (613) 475-3835
Todd Leuty, Agroforestry Specialist
Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
1 Stone Road
West, 1st Floor
Guelph, Ontario N1G 4Y2
todd.leuty@ontario.ca
tel: 519-826-3215 fax: 519-826-3567
