Feed materials – Levels and characteristic profiles of dioxins and PCBs

Abstract

Dioxins (PCDD/PCDF) are toxic compounds that are ubiquitous in the environment; although present in low concentrations, they are persistent and highly toxic and they bioaccumulate in food chains. Therefore, it is very important that feed is free of these types of contaminants, because otherwise they can become a source that can negatively affect animal health and the safety of food of animal origin. The aim of the study was to comprehensively assess the concentrations of dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in a variety of feed materials available on the Polish market. In addition, characteristic profiles of congeners for given categories of feeds were investigated and defined. Approximately 95% of the 523 samples of various feed materials tested over seven years (2013–2018 and 2022) met the requirements of European Union feed law (Commission Regulation 277/2012/EU).The highest average PCDD/PCDF/dl-PCB concentrations were found in fish oils and meal and were respectively 1.17 ± 0.78 and 5.51 ± 4.51 ng WHO-TEQ/kg of feed at 12% moisture. Median and background level concentrations of PCDD/PCDFs, dl-PCBs, PCDD/PCDF/dl-PCBs, and ndl-PCBs were significantly lower than their average concentrations for each individual feed material category. The WHO-TEQ profiles enabled the identification of three different characteristic profiles in feed materials.