The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) provides information on health risks from dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in food and feed. Dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs are toxic chemicals that form in combustion processes, in particular during the incineration of materials containing PCBs, but also of multifunctional waste or of sewage sludge. Dioxins also exhibit high persistence in the environment and accumulate in small amounts in the fatty tissues of animals.

With Regulation (EU) 2021/1408 amending Regulation (EC) No. 1881/2006 setting maximum levels for certain contaminants in food, new maximum levels for tropane alkaloids (atropine and scopolamine) will come into force from September 1st, 2022 in the following products: processed cereal-based foods, unprocessed corn, buckwheat & millet and herbal teas.

Foods (except for the listed grain-based foods) that were lawfully placed on the market before September 1st, 2022, may be sold until their best-before or use-by dates.

GBA Group has developed a method for PFAS analysis. The accredited routine parameter of the GBA Group can detect a spectrum of 28 substances with highest sensitivity. The product groups meat, fish, eggs, fruit, vegetables, baby food and milk are covered and limits of determination below the specified maximum levels are achieved, so that even traces of the substances can still be detected.

From July 2022, new maximum levels for pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PA) in food will apply throughout Europe. These were already adopted by the Standing Committee of the EU Commission at the end of June 2020 and included in Regulation (EC) No. 1881/2006 setting maximum levels for certain contaminants in foodstuffs. Foods that were lawfully placed on the market before July 2022 may continue to be marketed until the end of 2023.

On the first Friday in August, "Beer Day" is celebrated internationally. We use this occasion to draw attention to the fact that beer must also be tested for food safety. It is not only the end product that is important, but also the safety of the raw materials. The brewing water, hops and grain should be examined for contamination in advance.