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GUIDANCE DOCUMENT

Guidance for Industry: Action Levels for Poisonous or Deleterious Substances in Human Food and Animal Feed August 2000

Final
Docket Number:
FDA-2020-D-1956
Issued by:
Guidance Issuing Office
Human Foods Program

This booklet lists action levels established by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for poisonous or deleterious substances in human food and animal feed. Action levels for poisonous or deleterious substances are established by the FDA to control levels of contaminants in human food and animal feed.

Action levels and tolerances are established based on the unavoidability of the poisonous or deleterious substances and do not represent permissible levels of contamination where it is avoidable. The blending of a food or feed containing a substance in excess of an action level or tolerance with another food or feed is not permitted, and the final product resulting from blending is unlawful, regardless of the level of the contaminant.

Action levels and tolerances represent limits at or above which FDA will take legal action to remove products from the market. Where no established action level or tolerance exists, FDA may take legal action against the product at the minimal detectable level of the contaminant.

The action levels are established and revised according to criteria specified in Title 21, Code of Federal Regulations, Parts 109 and 509 and are revoked when a regulation establishing a tolerance for the same substance and use becomes effective.

This booklet is arranged by substance, with the applicable human food and animal feed products listed therein. An index is located at the front of this booklet.

This list is current as of August, 2000. Notices will be published in the Federal Register as new action levels are established or as existing action levels are revised or revoked. It is the responsibility of the user of the list to keep up to date on changes in the action levels.

Single copies of this booklet are available from:

(*See updated contact information below.)

FDA's Compliance Policy Guides are accessible via the Internet: https://www.fda.gov/. 

Substance

Aflatoxin
Aldrin & Dieldrin
Benzene Hexachloride
Cadmium
Chlordane
Chlordecone (Kepone)
Dicofol (Kelthane)
DDT, DDE, TDE
Dimethylnitrosamine (Nitrosodimethylamine)
Ethylene Dibromide (EDB)
Heptachlor & Heptachlor Epoxide
Lead
Lindane
Mercury
Methyl Alcohol
Mirex
N-Nitrosamines
Paralytic Shellfish Toxin
Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)   

AFLATOXIN

Commodity Action Level (ppb) Reference
Animal Feeds
Corn and peanut products intended for finishing (i.e., feedlot) beef cattle
 300 CPG 683.100
Cottonseed meal intended for beef, cattle, swine, or poultry (regardless of age or breeding status
 300 CPG 683.100
Corn and peanut products intended for finishing swine of 100 pounds or greater
 200 CPG 683.100
Corn and peanut products intended for breeding beef cattle, breeding swine, or mature poultry
 100 CPG 683.100
Corn, peanut products, and other animal feeds and feed ingredients but excluding cottonseed meal, intended for immature animals
 20 CPG 683.100
Corn, peanut products, cottonseed meal, and other animal feed ingredients intended for dairy animals, for animal species or uses not specified above, or when the intended use is not known
 20 CPG 683.100
Brazil nuts 20 CPG 570.200
Foods 20 CPG 555.400
Milk 0.5 (aflatoxin M1) CPG 527.400
Peanuts and Peanut products 20 CPG 570.375
Pistachio nuts 20 CPG 570.500 

ALDRIN & DIELDRIN

Commoditya Action Level (ppm) Reference
Alfalfa 0.03 CPG 575.100
Animal feed, processed 0.03 CPG 575.100
Artichokes 0.05 CPG 575.100
Asparagus 0.03 CPG 575.100
Bananas 0.02 CPG 575.100
Beets (garden and sugar) 0.1 CPG 575.100
Beet tops (garden and sugar) 0.05 CPG 575.100
Broccoli 0.03 CPG 575.100
Brussel sprouts 0.03 CPG 575.100
Bulb vegetables 0.1 CPG 575.100
Cabbage 0.03 CPG 575.100
Carrots 0.1 CPG 575.100
Cauliflower 0.03 CPG 575.100
Cereal grains (except buckwheat, millet, teosinte, and wild rice) 0.02 CPG 575.100
Celery 0.03 CPG 575.100
Clover 0.03 CPG 575.100
Collards 0.05 CPG 575.100
Cowpea hay 0.03 CPG 575.100
Cucumbers 0.1 CPG 575.100
Eggplant 0.05 CPG 575.100
Eggs 0.03 CPG 575.100
Endive (escarole) 0.05 CPG 575.100
Fats and oils (animal feed) 0.3 CPG 575.100
Figs 0.05 CPG 575.100
Fish 0.3 (edible portion) CPG 575.100
Forage, fodder and straw of cereal grains (except those of millet, teosinte, and wild rice) 0.03 CPG 575.100
Grapefruit 0.02 CPG 575.100
Hay 0.03 CPG 575.100
Horseradish 0.1 CPG 575.100
Kale 0.05 CPG 575.100
Kohlrabi 0.05 CPG 575.100
Legume vegetables (except guar, jackbeans, lablab beans, and lentils) 0.05 CPG 575.100
Lemons 0.02 CPG 575.100
Lespedeza 0.03 CPG 575.100
Lettuce 0.03 CPG 575.100
Limes 0.02 CPG 575.100
Mangoes 0.03 CPG 575.100
Melons 0.1 CPG 575.100
Milk 0.3 (fat basis) CPG 575.100
Mustard greens 0.05 CPG 575.100
Oranges 0.02 CPG 575.100
Parsnips 0.1 CPG 575.100
Pea 0.03 CPG 575.100
Peaches 0.02 CPG 575.100
Peanuts 0.05 CPG 575.100
Peanut hay 0.03 CPG 575.100
Peppers 0.05 CPG 575.100
Pimentos 0.05 CPG 575.100
Pineapple 0.03 CPG 575.100
Pome fruits (except crabapples and loquats) 0.03 CPG 575.100
Potatoes 0.1 CPG 575.100
Radishes 0.1 CPG 575.100
Radish tops 0.03 CPG 575.100
Rutabagas 0.1 CPG 575.100
Salsify roots 0.1 CPG 575.100
Salsify tops 0.05 CPG 575.100
Small fruits and berries 0.05 CPG 575.100
Soybean hay 0.03 CPG 575.100
Spinach 0.05 CPG 575.100
Squash 0.1 CPG 575.100
Stone fruits (except Chickasaw, Damson, Japanese plums, and peaches) 0.03 CPG 575.100
Sugarbeet pulp (animal feed) 0.1 CPG 575.100
Sweet potatoes 0.1 CPG 575.100
Swiss chard 0.05 CPG 575.100
Tangerines 0.02 CPG 575.100
Tomatoes 0.05 CPG 575.100
Turnips 0.1 CPG 575.100
Turnip tops 0.05 CPG 575.100
(a) Action levels for crop groups cover all commodities specified in 40 CFR 108.34(f), unless an exception is noted. 

BENZENE HEXACHLORIDE (BHC)

Commoditya Action Level (ppm) Reference
Animal feed, processed 0.05 CPG 575.100
Apples 0.05 CPG 575.100
Asparagus 0.05 CPG 575.100
Avocadoes 0.05 CPG 575.100
Beans 0.05 CPG 575.100
Brassica (cole) leafy vegetables (except broccoli raab, and rape greens) 0.05 CPG 575.100
Celery 0.05 CPG 575.100
Carrots 0.3 CPG 575.100
Cereal grains (except buckwheat, millet, popcorn, teosinte, and wild rice) 0.05 CPG 575.100
Citrus fruits 0.05 CPG 575.100
Cocoa beans 0.5 CPG 575.100
Cucurbit vegetables (except Balsam pears, Chinese waxgourds, gherkins, and gourds) 0.05 CPG 575.100
Eggplant 0.05 CPG 575.100
Eggs 0.05 CPG 575.100
Endive 0.05 CPG 575.100
Figs 0.05 CPG 575.100
Frog legs (edible portion) 0.3 CPG 575.100
Guavas 0.05 CPG 575.100
Hay 0.05 CPG 575.100
Lettuce 0.05 CPG 575.100
Mangoes 0.05 CPG 575.100
Milk 0.3 (fat basis) CPG 575.100
Okra 0.05 CPG 575.100
Onions 0.05 CPG 575.100
Paprika 1.0 CPG 575.100
Pears 0.05 CPG 575.100
Peas 0.05 CPG 575.100
Pecans 0.05 CPG 575.100
Peppers 0.05 CPG 575.100
Pineapples 0.05 CPG 575.100
Quinces 0.05 CPG 575.100
Rabbits 0.3 (fat basis)b CPG 575.100
Root and tuber vegetables (except carrots) 0.05 CPG 575.100
Small fruits and berries 0.05 CPG 575.100
Spinach 0.05 CPG 575.100
Swiss chard 0.05 CPG 575.100
Stone fruits (except Chickasaw, Damson, and Japanese plums) 0.05 CPG 575.100
Tomatoes 0.05 CPG 575.100
Turnip Greens 0.05 CPG 575.100

The figures listed are for residues of total BHC. However, in adding amounts of individual isomers, do not count alpha, gamma, or delta BHC at a level below 0.02 ppm in milk and rabbits, and 0.01 ppm for all other commodities listed. Do not count beta BHC at a level below 0.05 ppm for milk and rabbits, and 0.02 ppm for all other commodities listed.

(a) Action levels for crop groups cover all commodities specified in 40 CFR 180.34(f), unless an exception is noted.

(b) For rabbits that contain insufficient fat to conduct an analysis on a fat basis, analyze the rabbits on a whole product basis (edible portion) and use 0.1 ppm, the limit of determination, as the action level. 

CADMIUM

Commodity Action Level (µg/mL leaching solution) Reference
Pottery (ceramics)
    Flatware (average of 6 units) 0.5 CPG 545.400
    Small hollowware (any 1 of 6 units) 0.5 CPG 545.400
    Large hollowware (any 1 of 6 units) 0.25 CPG 545.400 

CHLORDANE

Commoditya Action Level (ppm) Reference
Animal fat, rendered 0.3 CPG 575.100
Animal feed, processed 0.1 CPG 575.100
Asparagus 0.1 CPG 575.100
Bananas 0.1 CPG 575.100
Beans 0.1 CPG 575.100
Beets (with or without tops) 0.1 CPG 575.100
Beet greens 0.1 CPG 575.100
Brassica (cole) leafy vegetables (except broccoli raab, Chinese mustard cabbage, and rape greens) 0.1 CPG 575.100
Carrots 0.1 CPG 575.100
Celery 0.1 CPG 575.100
Citrus fruits 0.1 CPG 575.100
Corn 0.1 CPG 575.100
Cucumbers 0.1 CPG 575.100
Eggplant 0.1 CPG 575.100
Fish 0.3 (edible portion) CPG 575.100
Lettuce 0.1 CPG 575.100
Melons 0.1 CPG 575.100
Okra 0.1 CPG 575.100
Onions 0.1 CPG 575.100
Papayas 0.1 CPG 575.100
Parsnips 0.1 CPG 575.100
Peanuts 0.1 CPG 575.100
Peas 0.1 CPG 575.100
Peppers 0.1 CPG 575.100
Pineapple 0.1 CPG 575.100
Pome fruits (except crabapples and loquats) 0.1 CPG 575.100
Potatoes 0.1 CPG 575.100
Radishes 0.1 CPG 575.100
Radish tops 0.1 CPG 575.100
Rutabagas (with or without tops) 0.1 CPG 575.100
Rutabaga tops 0.1 CPG 575.100
Small fruits and berries (except cranberries, currants, elderberries, gooseberries, and olallie berries) 0.1 CPG 575.100
Spinach 0.1 CPG 575.100
Squash 0.1 CPG 575.100
Stone fruits (except Chicasaw, Damson, and Japanese plums) 0.1 CPG 575.100
Sweet potatoes 0.1 CPG 575.100
Swiss chard 0.1 CPG 575.100
Tomatoes 0.1 CPG 575.100
Turnips (with or without tops) 0.1 CPG 575.100
Turnip greens 0.1 CPG 575.100

The listed action levels are for residues of chlordane, including cis- and trans-chlordane, cis- and trans-nonachlor, oxychlordane, alpha-, beta-, and gamma-chlordene, and chlordene. Levels of individual components must be quantitated at 0.02 ppm or above and confirmed in order to be added into the "chlordane" total value.

The GLC pattern of the residue determines which reference standard(s) will be used for quantitation. If the residue pattern matches that of technical chlordane, quantitate against a technical chlordane reference standard. If the residue consists of identifiable individual components (i.e., cis- and trans-chlordane, cis- and trans-nonachlor, oxychlordane, alpha-, beta-, and gamma-chlordene, and chlordene), quantitate individual components against their respective standards. Sum individual values to obtain the total "chlordane" level. Do not include levels of heptachlor epoxide in the summation.

(a) Action levels for crop groups cover all commodities specified in 40 CFR 180.34(f), unless an exception is noted. 

CHLORDECONE (trade name Kepone)

Commodity Action Level (ppm) Reference
Crabmeat 0.4 CPG 575.100
Fish 0.3 CPG 575.100 

DICOFOL

(trade name 1,1-Bis(p-chlorophenyl)-2,2,2,-trichloroethanol)
(Previously listed as "Kelthane,")

Commodity Action Level (ppm) Reference
Animal feed, processed 0.5 CPG 575.100 

DDT, DDE, & TDE

Commoditya Action Level (ppm) Reference
Animal feed, processed 0.5 CPG 575.100
Artichokes 0.5 CPG 575.100
Asparagus 0.5 CPG 575.100
Avocadoes 0.2 CPG 575.100
Beets (roots and tops) 0.2 CPG 575.100
Brassica (cole) leafy vegetables (except broccoli raab, Chinese mustard cabbage, and rape greens) 0.5 CPG 575.100
Carrots 3 CPG 575.100
Cereal grains (except buckwheat, fresh sweetcorn, millet, popcorn, teosinte, and wild rice) 0.5 CPG 575.100
Celery 0.5 CPG 575.100
Citrus fruits 0.1 CPG 575.100
Cocoa beans 1 CPG 575.100
Corn, fresh sweet 0.1 CPG 575.100
Cottonseed 0.1 CPG 575.100
Cucumbers 0.1 CPG 575.100
Eggplant 0.1 CPG 575.100
Eggs 0.5 CPG 575.100
Endive (escarole) 0.5 CPG 575.100
Fish 5 (edible portion) CPG 575.100
Grapes 0.05 CPG 575.100
Guavas 0.2 CPG 575.100
Hay 0.5 CPG 575.100
Hops 0.1 CPG 575.100
Legume vegetables (except guar, jackbeans, lablab beans, and lentils) 0.2 CPG 575.100
Lettuce 0.5 CPG 575.100
Mangoes 0.2 CPG 575.100
Melons 0.1 CPG 575.100
Milk 1.25 (fat basis) CPG 575.100
Mushrooms 0.5 CPG 575.100
Okra 0.2 CPG 575.100
Onions (dry bulb) 0.2 CPG 575.100
Papayas 0.2 CPG 575.100
Parsnips (roots and tops) 0.2 CPG 575.100
Peanuts 0.2 CPG 575.100
Peppermint hay 0.5 CPG 575.100
Peppermint oil 1 CPG 575.100
Peppers 0.1 CPG 575.100
Pineapples 0.2 CPG 575.100
Pome fruits (except crabapples and loquats) 0.1 CPG 575.100
Potatoes 1 CPG 575.100
Radishes (roots and tops) 0.2 CPG 575.100
Rutabagas (roots and tops) 0.2 CPG 575.100
Small fruits and berries (except elderberries, grapes and olallie berries) 0.1 CPG 575.100
Soybean oil (crude) 1 CPG 575.100
Spearmint hay 0.5 CPG 575.100
Spearmint oil 1 CPG 575.100
Spinach 0.5 CPG 575.100
Squash 0.1 CPG 575.100
Stone fruits (except Chickasaw, Damson, and Japanese plums) 0.2 CPG 575.100
Sweet potatoes 1 CPG 575.100
Swiss chard 0.5 CPG 575.100
Tomatoes 0.05 CPG 575.100
Tomato pomance 0.5 CPG 575.100
Turnips (roots and tops) 0.2 CPG 575.100

The listed action levels are for residues of the above pesticides individually, or in combination. However, in adding amounts of DDT, DDE and TDE, do not count any of the three found below 0.02 ppm for non-fatty food, and 0.2 ppm for fish, eggs, and grains.

(a) Action levels for crop groups cover all commodities specified in 40 CFR 180.34(f), unless an exception is noted. 

DIMETHYLNITROSAMINE (NITROSODIMETHYLAMINE)

Commodity Action Level (ppb) Reference
Barley malt 10 CPG 578.500
Malt beverages 5 CPG 510.600 

ETHYLENE DIBROMIDE (EDB)

Commodity Action Level (ppb) Reference
Grain products
Intermediate (milled)
(must be cooked prior to consumption)
Examples: flour, cake mix, pancake mix,
corn meal, grits, quick grits, oatmeal,
instant oatmeal, hominy, brown and serve rolls,
frozen bread dough
 150 CPG 575.100
Ready-to-eat (cooked)
(require no cooking prior to consumption)
Examples: bread, cakes, pancakes,
corn bread, hushpuppies, cooked grits,
cooked oatmeal, cooked hominy,
crispy rice cereal, wheat flakes cereal,
puffed oats, corn oil
 30 CPG 575.100
Honey, ready-to-eat
(will not undergo further processing prior to consumption)		 30 CPG 575.100

HEPTACHLOR AND HEPTACHLOR EPOXIDE

Commoditya Action Level (ppm) Reference
Animal feed, processed 0.03 CPG 575.100
Artichokes 0.05 CPG 575.100
Asparagus 0.05 CPG 575.100
Beans, except snap beans 0.05 CPG 575.100
Citrus fruits 0.05 CPG 575.100
Cucumbers 0.05 CPG 575.100
Eggs 0.05 CPG 575.100
Eggplant 0.03 CPG 575.100
Figs 0.05 CPG 575.100
Fish (edible portion) 0.3 CPG 575.100
Hay 0.03 CPG 575.100
Leafy vegetables 0.05 CPG 575.100
Melons 0.05 CPG 575.100
Okra 0.05 CPG 575.100
Pears 0.05 CPG 575.100
Pimentos 0.05 CPG 575.100
Pumpkins 0.05 CPG 575.100
Quinces 0.05 CPG 575.100
Rice 0.3 CPG 575.100
Small fruits a,b 0.05 CPG 575.100
Stone fruits a,b 0.05 CPG 575.100
Squash 0.05 CPG 575.100

The listed figures are for residues of the pesticide and its metabolite individually or in combination. However, do not count heptachlor or heptachlor epoxide found at a level below 0.1 ppm for fish, 0.05 ppm (fat basis) for milk, and 0.01 ppm for nonfatty foods.

(a) Refer to 40 CFR 180.34(f) for commodities covered by this food group.

(b) Other than those commodities specified in 40 CFR 180.104 and 180.319 

LEAD

Commodity Action Level (µg/ml leaching solution) Reference
Ceramicware
    Flatware (average of 6 units) 3.0 CPG 545.450
    Small hollowware (other than cups and mugs) (any 1 of 6 units) 2.0 CPG 545.450
    Large hollowware (other than pitchers) (any 1 of 6 units) 1.0 CPG 545.450
    Cups and mugs (any 1 of 6 units) 0.5 CPG 545.450
    Pitchers (any 1 of 6 units) 0.5 CPG 545.450
 
Silver-plated hollowware
    Product intended for use by adults (average of 6 units) 7 CPG 545.500
    Product intended for use by infants and children (any 1 of 6 units) 0.5 CPG 545.500 

LINDANE

Commodity Action Level (ppm) Reference
Animal feed, processed 0.1 CPG 575.100
Artichokes 0.5 CPG 575.100
Barley 0.1 CPG 575.100
Beans 0.5 CPG 575.100
Citrus fruit(a) 0.5 CPG 575.100
Cocoa beans, whole raw bean 0.5 CPG 575.100
Corn, fresh sweet 0.5 CPG 575.100
Corn 0.1 CPG 575.100
Eggs 0.5 CPG 575.100
Endive 0.5 CPG 575.100
Figs 0.5 CPG 575.100
Hay 0.1 CPG 575.100
Milk 0.3 (fat basis) CPG 575.100
Oats 0.1 CPG 575.100
Peas 0.5 CPG 575.100
Rice 0.1 CPG 575.100
Root vegetablesa,b 0.5 CPG 575.100
Rye 0.1 CPG 575.100
Small fruitsa,b 0.5 CPG 575.100
Sorghum (milo) 0.1 CPG 575.100
Turnip greens 0.5 CPG 575.100
Wheat 0.1 CPG 575.100

(a) Refer to 40 CFR 180.34(f) for commodities covered by this food group.

(b) Other than those commodities specified in 40 CFR 180.133. 

MERCURY

Commodity Action Level Reference
Fish, shellfish, crustaceans, other aquatic animals (fresh, frozen or processed) 1 ppm methyl mercury in edible portion CPG 540.600
Wheat (pink kernels only) 1 ppm on pink kernels and an average of 10 or more pink kernels/500 g CPG 578.400 

METHYL ALCOHOL

Commodity Action Level (%) Reference
Imported brandy 0.35 CPG 510.200 

MIREX

Commodity Action Level (ppm) Reference
Fish 0.1 (edible portion) CPG 575.100 

N-NITROSAMINES

Commodity Action Level (ppb) Reference
Rubber baby bottle nipples 10 CPG 500.450 

PARALYTIC SHELLFISH TOXIN

Commodity Action Level Reference
Clams, mussels, oysters
(fresh, frozen, and canned)		 80 µg/100 g meat CPG 540.250 

POLYCHLORINATED BIPHENYLS (PCB'S)

Commodity Action Level (ppm) Reference
Red meat 3 (fat basis) CPG 565.200

Related Information

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