Post on 12-Jun-2020
CHEMICAL CONTAMINANTS ARE...
EUROPE-WIDEMONITORING OF CONTAMINANTS IN
THE FOOD CHAIN
COMPARABLE DATA FROM ACROSS EUROPE
EFSA is the keystone of EU risk assessment regarding food and feed safety. In close collaboration with national authorities and in open consultation with its stakeholders, EFSA provides independent scientific advice and clearcommunication on existing and emerging risks. www.efsa.europa.eu
Consumer safety Contaminant levels in food are often very low and harmless for consumers. However, some contaminants can cause e�ects such as food poisoning, or, their accumulation over time might harm animal and human health.
Main types Natural toxins
Produced by fungi, algae or plants including some weeds and sea plankton
Environmental contaminantsIndustrial and consumer chemicals present in air, soil and water
Process contaminantsFormed during food processing like high-temperature cooking
Metals & “inorganic” substancesIncludes lead, mercury and substances like nitrates or �uorine
OthersIncludes unauthorised veterinary medicines
… substances unintentionally present in food or feed due to food production, processing, handling or transport, or as a result of environmental contamination of air, soil and water.
THIS SYSTEM IMPROVES THE QUALITY OF DATA USED TO:
• European countries monitor levels of contaminants found in food and feed
• Data are used to assess exposure of people and animals to contaminants
• Since 2010, most countries submit data to EFSA using Standard Sample Description (SSD)
• SSD is a standardised reporting format for transmission of analytical data to EFSA
• Understand how often foods are contaminated and by how much • Estimate consumer exposure and identify the most exposed populations• Protect public health by limiting contaminants in food • Evaluate prevention, reduction, monitoring programmes
Implemented(electronic transmission)Implemented(simpli�ed format)
Adoption of SSDin Europe
OtherMetals/Inorganics
Natural toxins
Processcontaminants
Environmental
Total results*received by EFSA
by type(in thousands)
Total number of comparable results* (in thousands)
Food-related data received 2010-2013 (since introduction of SSD)
343
331
245
179
152
147
123
115
93
87
Total results* received in top 10 food categories2010 - 2013 (in thousands) There are over 20 main categories of food and drink
Fish/seafoodMeat/meat productsSugar/confectionaryGrains/grain-based productsVegetables/fungiAnimal and vegetable fats/oilsLegumes/nuts/oilseedsMilk/dairy productsDrinking waterEggs/egg products
Number ofEFSA scientific
opinions oncontaminants(2003-2013) Other
Naturaltoxins
Environmental
Processcontaminants
Metals/Inorganics
877
513
644
20841
4
42
17
34
22
79 (2010)
866 (2011)
686 (2012)
652 (2013)
*“Results” are the number of reported analytical results. Unvalidated data omitted.