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Tuesday, April 18, 2006
Euro body sets maximum levels for dioxins and PCBs
THE European Commission (EC) has adopted a regulation that sets maximum levels for the sum of dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs based on the World Health Organization's toxic equivalency factors for the substances.
According to the EC, the move is meant to protect Europe's consumers from the harmful long-term effects of dioxin and dioxin-like PCBs.
Starting November 2006, animal feeds and human foodstuffs with a sum of dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs that exceeds maximum levels will not be allowed to be marketed in the European Union (EU). If there are those found to have exceeded the levels, authorities of member states are required to remove such from the market or sale.
It is noted that within the EU, compulsory maximum dioxin levels in food of animal origin have been applicable since July 2002. There were no limits however set for dioxin-like PCBs because of the lack of data and scientific information then. This gap has now been filled with this new legislation.
The EC recommendation on the reduction of dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs in food stuffs and feeding stuffs provides for an EC-wide monitoring of the contents of dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs. With the incorporation of Ireland and Norway, 1452 food stuffs will be tested per year from 2004 to 2006 all throughout the EC.
This legislation sets a new milestone in the EU's feed and food safety programs. It aims to deal with the complicated cycle of contamination necessitating simultaneously measures to reduce the presence of dioxins, furans and PCBs in environment, feeding stuffs and food stuffs. (Philexport News and Features)
(April 18, 2006 issue)
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