Tenders are invited to undertake a research project to identify suitable biomarkers of priority (groups of) additives (Lot 1) and contaminants (Lot 2), Metals (Lot 3) and develop and validate analytical chemistry methods for their quantitative measurement in human urine. In addition, an approach for estimating systemic exposure and theoretical dietary intake of each chemical of interest, from measured urinary excretion of the biomarker(s), should be derived. The FSA is requesting that methods and approaches are determined, and proven for feasibility, for substances from the following food additive and other chemical contaminant groups, below or up to the estimated budget of £100,000 (exc. VAT) Lot 1 and £50,000 (exc VAT) each for lot 2 and 3. The substance groups have been prioritised in accordance with the FSA’s food safety remit and specific priorities. All documents and communication for FSA funded projects must be submitted through the health-family single e-Commercial System (Atamis), using the following link: https://health-family.force.com/s/Welcome – Lot nr.: 1 Lot 1: Food Additives Food Additives (Lot 1) Over 300 food additives are approved for use in food in Great Britain (GB) (not including different forms of the same substance), and these are described in the FSA’s list of Approved additives and E numbers | Food Standards Agency. Food additives are ingredients that are added to foods to carry out a particular technological function, but they may only be used in food for which they have been authorised and only up to their maximum permitted level. However, the actual use levels of food additives in foods may be below the maximum permitted levels and, therefore, accurate consumer exposures to additives in foods are not easy to estimate. Additionally, consumers may be exposed to additives through different sources, and other factors, such as dietary preferences and brand loyalty, can often make the estimation of actual exposure challenging. Duration contract start date : 30/09/2026 11:00:00 PM Duration contract end date : 31/07/2027 10:59:59 PM Criteria definitions: Cost: 20 (Commercial) Quality: 80 (Technical inc Social Value) – Lot nr.: 2 Lot 2 : Chemical Contaminants Chemical Contaminants (Lot 2) Chemical contaminants in food are unintentional and undesirable substances that may pose health risks at certain levels. Some examples of chemical contaminants include mycotoxins, heavy metals (such as lead and mercury), and organic pollutants (like dioxins). Chemical contaminants can enter the food chain from multiple sources, during primary or secondary production. Because of their potential impact on health, regulatory controls exist to limit consumer exposure, and it is essential to manage and reduce their presence in food. Duration contract start date : 30/09/2026 11:00:00 PM Duration contract end date : 31/07/2027 10:59:59 PM Criteria definitions: Cost: 20 (Commercial) Quality: 80 (Technical inc Social Value) – Lot nr.: 3 Lot 3: Metals Analysis of biomarkers able to inform on exposure to the heavy metals, arsenic, cadmium, and lead. If it is technically feasible and cost effective, analysis of other metals that may be relevant to food safety may be proposed in the response to tender, in 400 NDNS Bioresource urine samples. Measurement of urinary creatinine concentration to account for urine dilution and to enable estimation of exposure. Demonstration of an approach to estimating dietary intake of relevant metals from measured concentration of biomarker Duration contract start date : 30/09/2026 11:00:00 PM Duration contract end date : 31/07/2027 10:59:59 PM Criteria definitions: Cost: 20 (Commercial) Quality: 80 (Technical inc Social Value)