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Investigations on the transfer of non-dioxin like PCBs from feed into meat and eggs of broilers and laying hens
Project
Project code: BfR-SiN-08-1322-730
Contract period: 01.01.2019
- 31.12.2019
Purpose of research: Experimental development
Keywords: feedstuff, ndl-PCB, toxicological classification, metabolism studies, food chain security
In the autumn of 2018, non-dioxin-like (*) polychlorinated biphenyls (ndl-PCBs) were detected in individual samples of feed, eggs, turkey and chicken meat in three German Federal States in concentrations above the legal maximum levels. The contamination in 2018 was apparently caused by chipped paint in the loading cells of a feed manufacturer in North Rhine-Westphalia. As a result, the excessive concentrations in the feed led to the exceedance of maximum levels in the food. PCBs are a group of 209 congeners of chlorinated substances. Some PCB congeners display molecular conformations similar to dioxins and comparable biological effects. They are therefore called dioxin-like PCBs (dl-PCBs). The remaining PCB congeners do not have dioxin-like properties and have a different toxicological profile. These are referred to as non-dioxin-like PCBs (ndl-PCBs). A toxicological classification for ndl-PCBs is currently difficult due to few available studies (JECFA 2016). In particular, there is currently only limited data available on the transfer behaviour of individual ndl-PCB congeners from animal feed into farm animals. The Unit 84 is currently evaluating data from an experiment on the uptake of soil contaminated with dioxins, PCBs and ndl-PCBs by laying hens and their transfer into eggs. One difficulty, however, is to quantify the exact amount of ndl-PCBs taken up by the animal from the soil particles and to relate it to the levels in the eggs. Against the background of current and previous events (see BfR statement 020/2012 of 9 May 2012), it therefore seems sensible and even necessary to carry out targeted transfer studies with defined ndl-PCB concentrations and known congener patterns in animal feed in order to better estimate their transfer into food (egg, meat), as well as their accumulation in organs and possible metabolism. These transfer studies are to be carried out on the BfR experimental station in Alt-Marienfelde. The analysis of ndl-PCB will be done in collaboration with the Chemisches und Veterinäruntersuchungsamt Münsterland-Emscher-Lippe. The statistical analysis and toxicokinetic modeling of the data would be carried out at the BfR in Jungfernheide. Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) 2016: Safety evaluation of certain food additives and contaminants Supplement 1: Non-dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls. WHO Food Additives Series: 71_S1 World Health Organization, Geneva, 2016, 431pp (*).
*) ""Dioxins"" is a trivial name for polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans, PCDD/Fs.
Section overview
Subjects
- Food Chemistry
- Toxicology
