CADMIUM CONTAMINATION OF CONSUMER-RELEVAN T MUSCLE-TISSUE IN HORSES

Muscle tissue of back and hindquarters (M. longissimus dorsi;M. semite ndinosus) of 209 horses served as study material for an investigation comprising both quantative analysis and assessment of the contaminatio n with Cd. The observed Cd contents averaged 75 mu g/kg wet matter, th e median value was 43 mu g/kg. The Cd contamination of the equine musc le tissue was found to be significantly influenced by both age and pro venance of the horses. The average Cd content was distinctly lower whe n compared with the control-value as recommended by ZEBS in Germany fo r the Cd contamination of beef and pork. However, the Cd-content of eq uine muscle tissue transgressed this control value in 27 % of the hors es. The twofold control value has been fixed as a legal limit in the s cope of German meat hygienic legislation since 19. 12. 1996. This limi t was transgressed by 8 % of the horses' muscle tissue. The current we ekly human intake of Cd through equine muscle tissue was calculated - as based on the median-value and the estimated intake of horse meat in Germany - to amount less than 0.008 % of the PTWI-value (provisional tolerable weekly intake, WHO). Furthermore, the weekly intake of Cd wi ll not exceed 1.8 % of the PTWI-value, even in case of a theoretical h uman intake of equine muscle tissue in the scope of beef (11.3 kg per head and year), calculated for the median value of the determined equi ne Cd contamination. A final assessment of the consumer's health risk through the intake of Cd via equine muscle tissue is not possible unti l some open questions regarding epidemiology and toxicology of Cd are answered. However, when regarding the very low intake of horse meat, l egislation in meat hygiene should not apply control-values as recommen ded for beef and pork.