Levels of Dioxins and Dioxin-like PCBs in Food and Feed in Europe

The EC Recommended Monitoring Programme for Food and undesirable substances in animal feed was put in place to provide the Commission with the necessary data to review the maximum levels for dioxins and furans, with a view to the inclusion of dioxin-like PCBs in the levels to be set. A considerable amount of data was received by the Commission the occurrence of dioxins, dioxin-like PCBs in food and feed. It was analysed to provide information on background levels of these contaminants currently regulated and to determine whether any patterns emerge in the ratios between dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs in certain food and feed stuffs types or in certain areas. This paper describes the criteria used to screen the data received and provides some comments on the background levels reported, how they comply with the current legislation and whether a pragmatic ratio between dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs could be identified.JRC.D.8-Food safety and qualit