The European Commission has recently amended its regulations on maximum levels for dioxins and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in certain foods.

The new Regulation (EU) 2022/2002, amending Annexes of Regulation (EC) No. 1881/2006, will go into effect as of 1 January 2023.

• The regulation sets maximum levels for some products that were not covered in the previous legislation such as meat and meat products of bovine, ovine and caprine animals, wild boar, wild game birds or rabbits.
• The existing maximum level for hen eggs is extended to other poultry eggs but goose eggs.
• For crustacean, the maximum levels will apply to muscle meat of the abdomen, not only muscle meat from appendages.
• The regulation also reduces the limits for milk and dairy products.

The regulation applies to all food produced in or imported into the EU. Foodstuffs lawfully placed on the market before 1 January 2023, may remain on the market until their date of minimum durability or use-by-date.

Consequently, the World Health Organisation (WHO) is re-evaluating the WHO-TEFs (Toxic Equivalence Factors) to harmonize TEFs for dioxin and dioxin-like compounds at an international level. The re-evaluation follows the EFSA’s scientific opinion adopted in 2018, which established a tolerable weekly intake of 2 pg TEQ (toxic equivalence)/kg body weight/week for the sum of dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs. The results of the re-evaluation are expected in the course of the next year.

At our dioxin centre of excellence, we perform 30,000 analyses per year in a wide range of matrices. With key staff sharing up to 30 years of experience, we are ready to help you ensure your product meets the latest regulatory requirements while readily providing profound advice and consultancy service.

For more information and/or to consult your testing needs, please contact us at  czsupport.food@alsglobal.com.