Cadmium is a naturally occurring mineral which can cause kidney damage if large amounts are eaten. It is found in a wide range of foods including green leafy vegetables, root vegetables, meat, kidneys, seafood and peanuts.Cadmium actually comes from pesticides and therefore there is no way that we can prevent it.It can cause kidney damage if large ammount is taken.
For this,the authorities like Australia New Zealand Food Authority (ANZFA) has regulates the maximum permitted concentration of cadmium in food.In 1998, a meeting by the ANZFSC came to a decision to reduce cadmium contents in peanuts from 0.1mg/kg to 0.05mg/kg.A proposal by the European Commission to reduce cadmium contents in fertilizers finally came in 2003. Their goal is to reduce cadmium accumulation in soil and prevent agricultural land from becoming unfit for crop growing.
In all,scientific research have shown that peanuts are still safe for us to eat.
These issue is related to Topic 6 and 7.
http://www.foodstandards.gov.au/newsroom/factsheets/factsheets1999/cadmiuminpeanuts.cfm
http://www.environmental-expert.com/articles/article1346/article1346.htm
