Assessment of dioxin concentration in eggs in response to warning of EU Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed

Elevated dioxin levels in eggs have been reported in Germany and the Netherlands. The maximum level laid down in Regulation (EC) No. 1881/2006 for dioxins of 3 picograms WHO-PCDD/F-TEQ per gram of fat and for dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs of 6 picograms WHO-PCDD/F-PCB-TEQ per gram of fat was exceeded in some of the samples analysed by official controls. From the perspective of food legislation, these products are therefore not marketable. Dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are environmental contaminants that humans mainly take in through foods of animal origin. Because dioxins and PCBs are stored in the fatty tissue of humans where they also accumulate, the daily intake amount should be minimised as much as possible. The dioxin concentrations that were found do not constitute an acute health hazard for consumers. The consumption of such contaminated eggs over a short period of time is not expected to have adverse effects on health. For reasons of preventive consumer protection, however, PCB and dioxin contamination should be minimised as much as possible. In this respect, unnecessary and avoidable additional exposure is not acceptable.DE; en; efsa-focal-point@bfr.bund.d