Jun 25, 2026 - Foods
EFSA updates risk assessment for dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has published its updated scientific risk assessment on dioxins and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (dl-PCBs) in food and feed. The reassessment is based on the toxicity equivalence factors (TEF) revised by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2022, which are used to assess the health risks of these contaminants.
Significantly lowered TWI
As part of the updated assessment, EFSA has significantly lowered the tolerable weekly intake (TWI) – from 2 pg to now 0.6 pg TEQ/kg body weight per week. Despite a lower calculated exposure due to the new TEF, EFSA concludes that the new TWI is still exceeded in all population groups. Children are particularly affected, with exceedances up to six times the new threshold.
Dairy products and fish as major sources of exposure
For the assessment, more than 54,000 food samples and approximately 4,500 feed samples from 2013 to 2023 were evaluated. Dairy and dairy products, as well as fish and fish products, continue to make the largest contribution to exposure. In feed, the highest levels were found particularly in fish oil, fish meal, and vegetable fats and oils.
EFSA Recommendations
In addition to lowering the TWI, EFSA makes several recommendations. These include the collection of additional data on plant-based foods and breast milk as well as the further development of scientific assessment methods and toxicity models. Possible sources of entry in animal husbandry, such as through soils, should also be more thoroughly investigated in the future.
Dioxin Analytics at BAV Institute
The updated risk assessment highlights the continued importance of reliable analytics for dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs along the food and feed chain. The BAV Institute supports manufacturers, importers, and feed companies with accredited testing for dioxins and PCBs, as well as expert advice on legal requirements and risk assessments.
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