Dietary exposure to dioxins and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) continues to pose health risks in Europe, according to a new scientific opinion published on Wednesday 10 June by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).
This assessment updates the one carried out in 2018, taking into account the World Health Organization’s 2022 revision of the toxicity equivalency factors used to measure the combined toxicity of these substances.
On this basis, EFSA has set a new tolerable weekly intake of 0.6 picograms per kilogramme of body weight, a threshold three times lower than the one previously used (a value established in 2018).
EFSA concludes that dietary exposure among the European population exceeds this value in all age groups, with particularly high levels among infants and young children.
Specific concern is also raised for women of childbearing age, due to potential effects on the reproductive development of future male children.
EFSA is calling for stronger monitoring and more available data in order to support future risk assessments.
The European Commission and Member States will have to take this scientific opinion into account when developing dietary recommendations and revising maximum permitted levels in food.
Link to the scientific documents: https://aeur.eu/f/maj (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)