German Federal Institute highlights need to limit PFAS in animal feed to ensure safe meat consumption

In an effort to address concerns about the presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in food of animal origin, the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (Bundesinstitut für Risikobewertung - BfR) has released new guidelines on maximum PFAS levels in animal feed. The BfR acknowledges that comprehensive analyses of water and soil are also necessary to ensure effective control of PFAS contamination.    

PFAS, often referred to as "Forever Chemicals" due to their resistance to degradation and ability to accumulate in the environment, are chemical substances widely used in industrial processes.  The accumulation of PFAS in the environment poses a significant risk as these chemicals can be absorbed by plants from the soil, passed on to livestock through their feed, and ultimately enter the human body when consuming animal products.    

To mitigate this risk, the European Union (EU) introduced maximum levels for certain PFAS in food of animal origin starting from January 2023. These levels apply to perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS), and the sum of these four PFAS compounds.    

The BfR's latest opinion provides maximum concentration values of individual PFAS in complete feed for various livestock, ensuring compliance with the established maximum levels in food.  
According to the BfR's evaluation, feed with PFAS levels below the calculated values will not result in exceeding the maximum levels in foods of animal origin. While the establishment of maximum levels in feed is still pending, these values can serve as crucial guidance for stakeholders until further measures are put in place.    

However, the BfR emphasizes the need for comprehensive data on PFAS levels in various feed materials and recommends collecting representative feed data to enhance risk assessments and ensure that animal feed adheres to safety thresholds. It is important to consider other possible sources of PFAS intake by livestock, such as soil or drinking water, to accurately assess the health risks associated with PFAS transfer from feed to food of animal origin.    

The BfR's involvement in evaluating PFAS levels in feed was initiated by the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) in 2021, in response to discussions on the introduction of EU maximum levels for PFAS in food of animal origin. The aim was to determine whether the proposed maximum levels could be met based on the background contamination of PFAS in feed, and to identify suitable PFAS concentrations in feed from contaminated areas.  
Although the EU has implemented maximum levels for PFAS in food of animal origin, discussions are ongoing with the European Commission to establish corresponding levels in feed.    

To estimate PFAS levels in complete feed accurately, the BfR employed toxicokinetics modeling based on scientific studies on PFAS transfer from feed to food of animal origin. Toxicokinetics models were created for various livestock species, including laying hens, dairy cows, beef cattle, sheep, and fattening pigs, with considerations for the specific toxicokinetics of PFAS compounds in each species.  
The BfR's guidelines include maximum PFAS levels in complete feed for different livestock species, ensuring that the average PFAS levels in food of animal origin do not exceed the established limits.    

Efforts to monitor and regulate PFAS levels in animal feed, water, and soil are vital in safeguarding public health and minimizing the risks posed by these persistent chemicals throughout the food chain. The BfR's recommendations serve as an important foundation for ongoing research and policy development aimed at effectively addressing the challenges posed by PFAS contamination.      

Source:  

BfR