31/03/2010

EFSA has published an analysis of the levels of dioxins and related substances in food and animal feed. The report, which was prepared by EFSA’s Data Collection and Exposure unit, is based on over 7,000 samples collected in 21 European countries between 1999 and 2008. EFSA was asked by the European Commission to evaluate dioxin levels in relation to maximum levels which have been set for different categories of food and feed in the EU.

Dioxins and similar compounds, such as dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) include a range of toxic substances which are formed by burning, such as through waste incineration or forest fires, and some industrial processes. Their presence in the environment has declined since the 1970s, following concerted efforts at EU level.

Dioxins are found at low levels in many foods. They do not cause immediate health problems, but long-term exposure to high levels of dioxins has been shown to cause a range of effects, including cancer. Their persistence and the fact that they accumulate in the food chain, notably in animal fat, are also of concern.

The report includes the following statements:

• The highest levels of dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs in relation to fat content in the sampled product were observed in liver and liver products from animals.
• The highest average levels in relation to total product weight were for fish liver and products derived from fish liver.
• In animal feed, the highest average levels were found in fish-oil.
• Overall, 8% of the samples exceeded the different maximum levels set out in EU legislation. However, some of these samples originated from targeted sampling during specific contamination episodes. There were large variations between different groups of food and feed.
• No clear trend can be established regarding levels of dioxins and related substances in food and feed. There were increases in some categories but decreases in others. Furthermore, occasional contamination episodes and a lack of information on which samples resulted from targeted or random sampling make it difficult to asses such trends.

Finally the report recommends continuous random testing of a sufficient number of samples in each food and feed group to ensure accurate assessments of the presence of dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs.

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