Preliminary survey of ethylenethiourea residues in the Canadian food supply, 1972.

A preliminary monitoring program was initiated in 1972 to determine ethylenethiourea (ETU) content of the Canadian food supply. Of 167 samples analyzed, 90 were domestic and 77 were imported. Samples were analyzed by electron-capture/gas-liquid chromatography. Thirty-three percent of the samples contained detectable ECU residues; most of these were 0.020 ppm or less. Highest levels, 0.047 and 0.083 ppm, were found in canned spinish and orange peel respectively.