Inorganic arsenic determination in food : A review on analytical proposals and 1 quality assessment over the last six years 2 3 4

12 ABSTRACT 13 Here we review recent developments in analytical proposals for the assessment of the 14 inorganic arsenic (iAs) content in food products. Interest in the determination of iAs in 15 products for human consumption such as food commodities, wine and seaweed among 16 others is fueled by the wide recognition of its toxic effects on humans, even at low 17 concentrations. Currently, the need for robust and reliable analytical methods is 18 recognized by various international safety and health agencies, and by organizations in 19 charge of establishing acceptable tolerance levels of iAs in food. This review 20 summarizes the state of the art of analytical methods while highlighting tools for the 21 assessment of quality assessment of the results, such as the production and evaluation of 22 certified reference materials (CRMs) and the availability of specific proficiency testing 23 (PT) programs. 24 Since the number of studies dedicated to the subject of this review has increased 25 considerably over recent years, the sources consulted and cited here are limited to those 26 from 2010 up to the end of 2015. 27