Additional Analytical Methods for NDNS Biomonitoring

The Food Standards Agency invites tenders to conduct a comprehensive research programme that will identify suitable urinary biomarkers for three priority chemical categories and develop, validate and standardise the analytical chemistry methods required to quantify these biomarkers within human urine samples on the National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS) BioResource platform. The objective is to create a robust, evidence‑based approach that translates measured urinary biomarker concentrations into estimates of systemic exposure and theoretical dietary intake for each chemical of interest, thereby enhancing the Agency’s capacity for continual food safety monitoring.

This programme is divided into three distinct lots. The first lot focuses on food additives, requiring the identification of urinary biomarkers for over 300 approved additives and the development of precise, validated analytical methods to measure their quantitative levels in urine. The second lot addresses chemical contaminants, including unwanted mycotoxins, organic pollutants, and heavy metals such as lead and mercury, with an emphasis on establishing reliable biomarker assays for these contaminants. The third lot centres on metals—specifically arsenic, cadmium, and lead—and involves the analysis of these biomarkers in 400 NDNS urine samples, measurement of urinary creatinine to correct for dilution, and the demonstration of a reliable method for estimating dietary intake from urinary concentrations, while allowing for the proposal of additional relevant metals if technically feasible.

The deliverables must enable the conversion of biomarker data into actionable exposure estimates, providing a clear pathway for risk assessment and regulatory decision‑making. All analytical methods shall be fully validated to meet ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation criteria.

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

Communication: Tenders 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
Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted: En
Enquiry deadline: 2026-07-27T12:00:00+01:00
Submission address and any special instructions: Tenders 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
Tenders may be submitted electronically: allowed
Award decision date (estimated): 2026-09-07T23:59:59+01:00

Lot number: 1
Description: 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.
Lot value (estimated)
100.000,00 GBP excluding VAT
120.000,00 GBP including VAT
This contract is subject to renewal: Yes
Description of renewals: 3 month optional extension

Lot number: 2
Description: 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.
Lot value (estimated)
50.000,00 GBP excluding VAT
60.000,00 GBP including VAT
This contract is subject to renewal: Yes
Description of renewals: 3 month optional extension

Lot number: 3
Description: 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
Lot value (estimated)
50.000,00 GBP excluding VAT
60.000,00 GBP including VAT
This contract is subject to renewal: Yes
Description of renewals: 3 month optional extension

Award criteria:

Name	Type	Weighting
Technical inc Social Value	quality	80%
Commercial	cost	20%