**3. Sample collection, preparation and treatment for arsenic determination in food and beverages**

Sample collection, preparation and treatment for arsenic determination in food and beverages are performed according to the established procedures (WHO, 2011). These include: collection of samples, representative of the food consumed in a population; sample conservation in acid washed plastic containers; freezing of samples if necessary, to -80oC; food preparation or cooking in a manner similar to those that would be used at home, if appropriate; sample homogenization and digestion, applying various techniques guided by the subsequent analysis technique.
