The Municipal Affairs Bureau of Macao has announced a proposal to amend Administrative Regulation No. 23/2018 – Maximum Limits of Heavy Metal Contaminants in Food, aiming to strengthen food safety oversight and align contaminant limits with international standards in Macao. The proposed amendments introduce new or revised maximum levels for heavy metals such as cadmium, lead, methyl mercury, and inorganic arsenic across a range of food categories including chocolate and cocoa products, quinoa, fish products, edible fungi, spices, dairy products, and infant foods.
The current regulation establishes 135 maximum limits for five heavy metals—arsenic, cadmium, lead, mercury, and tin—in different food categories. Under the proposed revision, additional limits would be specified for products such as quinoa, cocoa powder, canned fish, algae products, and complementary foods for infants and young children. The amendments also introduce differentiated limits based on cocoa content in chocolate products and include specific thresholds for certain edible fungi varieties and aquatic species.
According to the consultation notice, the update is intended to enhance public health protection, improve regulatory enforcement, and ensure consistency with international food safety benchmarks established by bodies such as the Codex Alimentarius Commission. Stakeholders from the food industry and the public are invited to submit feedback on the proposed amendments.
The consultation period is open until 31 March 2026, and comments may be submitted to the IAM via email or fax. Following the consultation process, the authority will review stakeholder input before finalizing any regulatory changes.