Food Standards Agency
Thursday 20 November 2008
Safer food better business banner
AZ-Directory
What's NewRSS
What is RSS?Wednesday 21 June 2006
about us logo
The Agency has today published the results of two surveys into the levels of brominated and fluorinated chemicals in the diet.
Based on the results of these surveys, there are no implications for people's health.
Back to topBrominated fire retardants (BFRs) are chemicals used in the manufacture of such products as sofas to help prevent fire. This survey was carried out following an increasing number of reports of BFRs and other brominated chemicals being found in fish and other foods.
The average adult dietary intakes of a range of brominated chemicals were estimated for 19 different food groups that make up the UK diet, including bread, meat, dairy products, eggs, fish, nuts, green vegetables, milk and potatoes.
The independent expert Committee on Toxicity (COT), which advises the Agency on the toxicity of chemicals in food, examined the data while reviewing the results of an earlier survey of farmed and wild fish, shellfish and fish oil dietary supplements (see link below), and concluded that the results do not raise health concerns.
Back to topPerfluorooctane sulphonate (PFOS) has a wide range of uses, which include protecting textiles and fabric from staining, and in fire-fighting foams, but its use is being phased out as it has been found to be potentially harmful and doesn't break down easily in the environment.
A similar range of food groups to those tested in the brominated compounds survey were analysed for PFOS and related compounds including perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). As well as estimating how much of these chemicals people may take in from their food, this work looked at whether any specific food groups might be significant sources for any fluorinated chemicals.
PFOS was found at low levels in potatoes, canned vegetables, eggs and sugars and preserves. PFOA was detected only in potatoes, at a very low level.
The COT is reviewing the toxicity of PFOS and PFOA, with advice from its sister committees, the Committee on Mutagenicity and the Committee on Carcinogenicity, but it has yet to finalise its opinion on the possible risks from PFOS and PFOA in food. However, it has concluded that these survey results do not raise any immediate toxicological concerns.
Back to topFind out what our other sites have to offer