CODA-CERVA is the Belgian National Reference laboratory (NRL) for the determination of trace elements in food and animal feed.

 

An important aspect related to Se-intake is that Se in food and food supplements can be present in different chemical forms or species that, after entering the human body, have not the same solubility, absorption, metabolism, and hence bioavailability. This means that the effect of Se (beneficial or toxic) depends not only on the quantity but also on the chemical form of the element.

 

Additional research is necessary to gain more insight in the conditions that lead to an optimal Se-nutrition (optimal health effect). The collection of data on Se-speciation in foodstuff on the one hand, and the determination of the most bio-active Se compounds and food sources on the other hand, may contribute to this.

 

NORMS AND LEGISLATION :

Maximum selenium content in water intended for human consumption

COUNCIL DIRECTIVE 98/83/EC of 3 November 1998 on the quality of water intended for human consumption.
The maximum selenium content in water intended for human consumption is fixed at 10µg/L.

http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CONSLEG:1998L0083:20031120:EN:PDF

 

Tolerable upper intake level for selenium (UL)
The European Scientific Committee on Food has established an upper intake level of 300 mg Se/day for adults.