Evaluation of heavy metals contamination in Iranian foodstuffs: canned tomato paste and tomato sauce (ketchup).

One hundred and thirty-five samples of canned tomato paste and 30 tomato sauces (ketchup) samples (23 and 10 brands, respectively) purchased from wholesale markets in the Tehran, Iran, during the period 2010-2013 were analysed. Levels of lead and cadmium were determined by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometer (GF-AAS) and arsenic by hydride vapour generation (HG-AAS or VGA). Average concentration of arsenic found in the tomato paste and ketchup samples was 62 ± 14 and 48 ± 12 ng g(-1), respectively. Cadmium values in 7% of tomato paste and 10% of ketchup samples were below the limit of quantification (LOQ). Lead concentrations were below LOQ in 75% of tomato paste and 77% of ketchup samples. Values obtained for these heavy metals in all samples were lower than the limits of national and international standards.