Halogenated Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) in Feed and Food
Halogenated POPs are contaminants found in food and feed and are a group of toxic, persistent chemicals whose effects on human health can cause dermal toxicity, immunotoxicity, reproductive disorder and teratogenicity, endocrine disruption and carcinogenicity. Fera uses analytical chemistry to conduct surveillance and testing and to support collaborative studies of environmental pathways of toxic chemicals. We tackle fundamental aspects of toxicology and health and provide an emergency and contingency response.
Available standard methods
Legislation
Assimilated Regulation
(EC) No 1881/2006 (https://www.legislation.gov.uk/eur/2006/1881/contents) sets maximum levels for certain contaminants in foodstuffs and assimilated Commission Regulation (EU) No 2017/644 (https://www.legislation.gov.uk/eur/2017/644/2020-01-31?view=plain) prescribes the methods to be used for sampling and analysis for enforcement purposes. In the EU maximum limits for certain contaminants in food are set in Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/915. This legislation does not apply in GB as it was introduced after EU Exit.
Resources
Food Standards Agency (FSA)
Information on POPs for industry and enforcement bodies including Codes of Practice for the prevention and reduction of dioxin and dioxin-like PCB contamination in foods and feeds can be found from these links:
https://www.food.gov.uk/business-guidance/persistent-organic-pollutants
The Chemical Safety Contaminants Catalogue gives more information about POPs, and can be found here.