|
BRUSSELS, Belgium, February 6, 2006 (ENS) - The European Commission Friday
adopted new implementing legislation setting maximum levels for the sum of
dioxins and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in food and feed. From
November 2006, any food or feed in which the sum of dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs
exceeds these maximum levels will not be allowed to be marketed in the European
Union.
Dioxins and PCBs are toxic chemicals that can cause serious health effects such
as cancer, hormone disruption, reduced ability to reproduce, skin toxicity and
immune system disorders.
Maximum levels for dioxins in food of animal origin and all animal feed have
been in place across the European Union since July 2002. But due to lack of
sufficient data and scientific information at the time, no levels were set for
dioxin-like PCBs.
Since 2002, new data on dioxin-like PCBs has become available, and the new
legislation lays down ...