The U. S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) responsibility for maintaining a safe food supply is met in part by monitoring for toxic and nutritional elements in food and related products. FDA collects and analyzes food and foodware from commercial channels of trade for determining regulatory compliance. Analytical data gathered under these monitoring activities are also used for evaluating the extent and significance of these analytes in the food supply.

The Elemental Analysis Manual (EAM) for Food and Related Products provides a repository of the analytical methods used in FDA laboratories to examine food for toxic and nutrient elements for regulatory purposes. The manual also provides general guidance on related aspects of a laboratory analysis.