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Food Survey Information Sheet 16/06
Dioxins and polychlorinated biphenols (PCBs) were analysed by the Food Standards Agency in 142 retail samples of UK-produced foods purchased at locations throughout the UK. This work was carried out in line with Recommendation 2004/705/EC on the monitoring of background levels of dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs in foodstuffs. The results will be submitted to the European Commission for inclusion in the next review of limits for dioxins and PCBs. Where existing limits applied, all of the samples tested were compliant with the exception of two hen egg samples. There were no concerns for human health.
Back to topAs part of a Europe-wide monitoring programme, dioxins and PCBs were measured in a wide range of retail foods purchased in 2005.
Two samples of hen eggs contained levels of dioxin above the current limit.
One sample of lamb contained dioxins above the current action level.
Back to topIn 1999 there was a major contamination incident in Belgium in which contaminated animal fat was incorporated into animal feed, leading to high concentrations of dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs in some animal products in several EU Member States.
In 2001, as a result of new information regarding the potential for dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs to cause developmental effects in the growing foetus, the Scientific Committee for Food recommended a lower Tolerable Weekly Intake (TWI) for these chemicals, but acknowledged that the average dietary intakes of a significant proportion of consumers in the EU exceeded it.
Consequently, the EU set maximum limits and action levels for dioxins with the aim of removing the most contaminated foods from the market and identifying possible problem areas, thereby reducing dietary exposure.
These limits and action levels, which from November 2006 will be extended to incorporate dioxin-like PCBs, are presented in the full Food Survey Information Sheet. Further background information on dioxins and PCBs can be found in Food Survey Information Sheet No 38/03.
The European Commission intends to review the dioxin and PCB limits in 2008. In order to obtain sufficient data representative of current levels in food, the Commission has issued two recommendations to Member States to conduct testing of nationally produced foods. The Food Standards Agency has been carrying out additional monitoring in line with EC Recommendations since 2003.
The present work was in response to Recommendation 2004/705/EC, amended to cover the new Member States and also giving more discretion to individual Member States regarding the selection of samples.
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