Changes in the EU Maximum Levels for Dioxins and PCBs in Livestock Livers
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No. 9 ♦ May 2014
Changes in the EU Maximum Levels for
Dioxins and PCBs in Livestock Livers
by Carsten Schaffors, GBA Laboratory Group
Lipophilic environmental contaminants such as polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and furans (PCDD/DFs, "dioxins") and
polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) have the property to accumulate in fat tissue within the liver, which serves as a central
metabolic organ in vertebrates. Some of these compounds are suspected of being potential carcinogens or of increasing
cancer risk. Although the environmental contamination caused by these compounds has been declining for years, they still
pose a threat to humans due to their stability and wide distribution throughout the environment. Animals ingest substances
from both of these groups via their feed, so there is mainly a possibility for contamination in meat products, milk, or eggs.[1]
In the Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1881/2006 [2], the EU set the maximum levels for dioxins, dioxin-like PCBs (dl-
PCBs), and non-dioxin-like PCBs (ndl-PCBs) contained within the livers of "terrestrial animals." These are defined as
livestock such as bovine animals, pigs, sheep, and poultry, but not wild animals, which are omitted from this regulation.
Until recently, the maximum levels were provided as a ratio to the fat content. When the Commission Regulation (EU) No.
1067/2013[3] came into effect, this was changed and the values are now based on the wet weight of the liver, and depending
on the type of animal, the limit values were increased by a factor of 2 to 5. Furthermore, the maximum levels for sheep
livers have been set higher than for cows, pigs, and poultry. This decision was based on the fact that the physiology of
sheep generally leads to higher concentrations of dioxins and PCBs.[1]
The German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) carried out an
assessment of the new maximum levels based on the wet weight of
the liver as determined by the regulation (EU) No. 1067/2013. [1] They
conducted a model calculation based on the assumption that all land-
animal livers consumed by humans are within the limit values for
dioxins and PCBs defined by the regulation (EU) No. 1067/2013.
Despite the increase in the allowed maximum values, based on the
"normal" low consumption of land-animal livers, the BfR has appraised
the risk of adverse health effects for the consumer as being unlikely,
except for sheep. The BfR still recommends avoiding consumption of
sheep liver. Just one instance of consuming 250g of sheep liver with
the maximum value of dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs of 2 pg/g of wet
weight WHO-PCDD/DF-PCB-TEQ (toxicity equivalents of the relevant PCDD/DFs and PCBs determined by the World
Health Organization) exhausts approximately 51% of the tolerable weekly intake (TWI). When considering that further
amounts of these contaminants may be ingested through other food products, the TWI could be exceeded.[1]
Although sheep liver is one of the more seldom consumed food products in German, there are, however, certain
demographic groups from other countries in which the consumption of sheep liver and sheep liver products is more frequent.
According to the BfR, there is a possibility for adverse health effects to these consumer groups if these compounds
approach the maximum levels in sheep liver products. Whereas sheep liver should generally be avoided, lamb or mutton
meat can be consumed without hesitation.
In addition to the analysis of a wide spectrum of inorganic and organic environmental contaminants such as PCDD/DFs and
PCBs in all kinds of matrices, e.g. water, soil, waste, and biota, monitoring the constantly changing laws and regulations
belongs to the GBA Laboratory Group's core competencies. We gladly assist our clients by providing help and advice.
Please contact us about this topic:
GBA Gesellschaft fuer Bioanalytik mbH
Dr. Roland Bernerth
Goldtschmidtstrasse 5
D-21073 Hamburg, Germany
Tel: +49 (0) 40 / 79 71 72 - 0
Fax: +49 (0) 40 / 79 71 72 - 27
Email: service@gba-laborgruppe.de
Literature:
[1]
„Neue EU-Höchstgehalte für Dioxine, dioxinähnliche PCB und nicht-dioxinähnliche PCB in Lebern an Land lebender Tiere und in Schaflebern“, Statement
014/2014 from the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), 11 March 2014 (Document only available in German.)
[2]
"Commission Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006 of 19 December 2006 setting the maximum levels for certain contaminants in foodstuffs," Official Journal of
the European Union L364, pp. 5-24, 20.12.2006
[3]
"Commission Regulation (EU) No 1067/2013 of 30 October 2013 amending Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006 as regards maximum levels of the contaminants
dioxins, dioxin-like PCBs and non-dioxin-like PCBs in liver of terrestrial animals," Official Journal of the European Union L 289, pp. 56-57, 31.10.2013
Third Report on Antibiotics Consumption and the
Spread of Antibiotics Resistances – GERMAP 2012
by Carsten Schaffors, GBA Laboratory Group
In April, the Federal Institute for Consumer Protection and Food Safety (BVL), in cooperation with the Paul-Ehrlich-
Gesellschaft für Chemotherapie e.V. (Paul-Ehrlich Society for Chemotherapy) and the University of Freiburg Medical Center,
published the third "Report on the Antibiotics Consumption and the Spread of Antibiotics Resistances in Human and
Veterinary Medicine in Germany" (GERMAP 2012).[1] As previously described in our Newsletter No. 8, April 2014, it is very
important to preserve the effectiveness of antibacterial active agents. Not only does this require a reduction in the usage of
antibiotic agents, but also a fundamental change in our society's mentality concerning this topic.
In addition to the investigations conducted by the Federal Institute for Consumer Protection and Food Safety (BVL), which
we reported on last month, the GERMAP-report also investigates the usage and the development of antibiotics in human
medicine and the development of resistant strains of bacteria. They conclude that not only the restrictive usage of antibiotics
in human and veterinary medicine, but also good management, scientifically sound training for all people involved, effective
hygienic measures, and, in veterinary medicine, rethinking how livestock is raised and kept, are all measures that could lead
to success.
As is the case with many other current topics, the GBA Laboratory Group constantly monitors the latest developments for
you and keeps you updated.
Please contact us about this topic:
GBA Gesellschaft fuer Bioanalytik mbH
Dr. Reiner Ranau
Goldtschmidtstrasse 5
D-21073 Hamburg, Germany
Tel.: +49 (0) 40 / 79 71 72 - 0
Fax: +49 (0) 40 / 79 71 72 - 27
Email: service@gba-laborgruppe.de
Literature:
[1]
„GERMAP 2012 – Antibiotika-Resistenz und -verbrauch Bundesamt für Verbraucherschutz und Lebensmittelsicherheit, Paul-Ehrlich-Gesellschaft für
Chemotherapie e.V. und Infektiologie Freiburg, April 2014Small Revision to the Cadmium Maximum Level
by Dr. Katri Mehrlaender, GBA Laboratory Group
th
On May 12 , 2014, the commission regulation (EU) No. 488/2014 amending Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006 as regards
maximum levels of cadmium in foodstuffs was published. The essential changes are the newly established maximum levels
for cadmium in certain cocoa and chocolate products, which go into effect starting on Jan 1 st, 2019. Furthermore, maximum
levels for cadmium in infant formulae, follow-on formulae, as well as cereal based foods and other baby foods for infants and
young children have been set and will go into effect on Jan 1st, 2015.[1]
For certain varieties of vegetables (salsify, parsnips, celery, horseradish), the maximum level of cadmium was raised from
[2]
0.1 mg/kg to 0.2 mg/kg, since it was too difficult to adhere to the previous limit values. Furthermore, the maximum level of
cadmium was reduced for several fish species, however it was raised for sardines and "bichique." [1,2]
The amending regulation goes into effect on June 2nd, 2014 and is then also valid with the exception of the maximum values
for cocoa and chocolate products, as well as for certain kinds of baby food (see above). Products that are brought into
[3]
circulation before the new maximum values take effect are still allowed to be sold until their expiration date.
Please contact us about this topic:
GBA Gesellschaft fuer Bioanalytik mbH
Dr. Katri Mehrlaender
Brekelbaumstrasse 1
D-31789 Hameln, Germany
Tel: +49 (0) 5151 / 98 49 - 0
Fax: +49 (0) 5151 / 98 49 - 99
Email: k.mehrlaender@gba-laborgruppe.de
Literature:
[1]
"Commission Regulation (EU) No. 488/2014 of 12 May 2014 amending Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006 as regards maximum levels of cadmium in
foodstuffs." Official Journal of the European Union L138, pp. 75-79, 13.5.2014.
[2]
" Commission Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006 of 19 December 2006 setting maximum levels for certain contaminants in foodstuffs." Official Journal of the
European Union L364, pp. 5-24, 20.12.2006.
[3]
Newsletter BLL-232-2014 of the "Bund für Lebensmittelrecht und Lebensmittelkunde e.V." from 21.05.14The GBA Laboratory Groups Hosts "Deutsche Welle"
by Sabine Gerkau and Carsten Schaffors, GBA Laboratory Group
On May 22nd, 2014, "Deutsche Welle" (Germany's International Broadcaster) aired a
special report in their economic show "Wirtschaft kompakt" titled: "Traders want
more organic products from Asia"[1]. The impetus for this was a recent organic foods
trade fare in Shanghai "BIOFACH CHINA" and also the growing demand for these
products in Europe. Among consumers, the focus is on teas imported from China,
which should not only be free of toxins, but also produced using environmentally
friendly methods. This presents new challenges for the Asian market.
Dr. Frank Schütt, expert in the field of tea at GBA, has determined that the amount
of samples to be analyzed has nearly doubled, whereas tea sales and thus
consumption has not risen significantly from what he has seen. Dr. Schütt takes this
as an indication that all of the market participants want to ensure that their products
are suitable for trade.
GBA offers a wide spectrum of analyses that includes approximately 500 pesticides
in a diverse array of products. Changes in laws and regulation are also continuously
monitored by our competent customer service consultants in order to provide our
clients with helpful support.
Please feel free to contact us about this topic:
GBA Gesellschaft fuer Bioanalytik mbH
Dr. Frank Schuett
Goldtschmidtstrasse 5
D-21073 Hamburg, Germany
Tel: +49 (0) 40 / 79 71 72 – 0
Fax: +49 (0) 40 / 79 71 72 – 27
Email: f.schuett@gba-laborgruppe.de
[1] Deutsche Welle: Wirtschaft kompakt, "Traders want more organic products from Asia". URL: http://www.dw.de/handel-will-mehr-bio-produkte-aus-china/av-
17653011, 22.05.2014.
Inquiries or orders can be directly placed at this or any other of our locations:
GBA Gesellschaft für Bioanalytik mbH
Hamburg: Pinneberg: Hameln:
Goldtschmidtstraße 5 Flensburger Straße 15 Brekelbaumstraße 1
21073 Hamburg 25421 Pinneberg 31789 Hameln
Tel.: +49 (0) 40 / 79 71 72-0 Tel.: +49 (0) 4101 / 79 46-0 Tel.: +49 (0) 5151 / 98 49-0
Fax: +49 (0) 40 / 79 71 72-27 Fax: +49 (0) 4101 / 79 46-26 Fax: +49 (0) 5151 / 98 49-99
eMail: service@gba-laborgruppe.de eMail: pinneberg@gba-laborgruppe.de eMail: hameln@gba-laborgruppe.de
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