Scope
The VHK metal/metalloid annex sets maximum levels for food categories placed on the Swiss market. HMI records the metal and metalloid rows that match the allowed HMI species vocabulary.
Exact limit and units
The structured register contains 218 rows from the readable metal/metalloid annex: inorganic arsenic, total arsenic in salt, lead, cadmium, total chromium, nickel, total mercury, and inorganic tin. Source values are in mg/kg and are normalized to ug/kg in the CSV. Copper and zinc rows are not loaded.
How tested
The ordinance sets maximum levels and general rules for edible portions, infant-food bases, produce washing, fish portions, dried seaweed, and related basis details. The extracted metal table does not name a metal-specific analytical method.
Enforcement posture
Foods exceeding maximum levels in the annex may not be placed on the market except as otherwise provided by the ordinance. Compliant foods may not be mixed with non-compliant foods to dilute contaminants.
History of changes
The ordinance is dated 16 December 2016 and the local PDF is consolidated as of 25 February 2026. The metal/metalloid rows reflect the consolidated text at that date.
How it compares
The Swiss schedule is closely aligned in structure with European contaminant schedules but is recorded as a Switzerland jurisdictional source. Species are kept separate, including inorganic arsenic versus total arsenic in salt and total mercury versus methylmercury schedules elsewhere.
Sources
Update history
No substantive edit history is available in this build. The full commit record is available in git.