Carry-over of dioxins and PCBs from feed and soil to eggs at low contamination levels - influence of mycotoxin binders on the carry-over from feed to eggs

L.A.P. Hoogenboom, C.A. Kan, M. Zeilmaker, J. van Eijkeren, W.A. Traag

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

77 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Laying hens were fed with compound feed containing six different levels of dioxins, dioxin-like PCBs and indicator PCBs for a period of 56 days. This was followed by a period of 56 days on clean feed. Dioxin levels in feed varied from background levels to three times the current EU tolerance limit of 0.75¿ng TEQ/kg. At all dose levels a rapid increase was observed in the dioxin levels in eggs. There was a clear linear dose¿response relationship between the dioxin levels in eggs and feed. The feed containing 0.4¿ng TEQ dioxins per kg resulted in egg levels just above the EU limit of 3¿pg TEQ/g fat. Dioxin-like and indicator PCB residues followed a pattern very similar to that of dioxins. Exposure to the highest indicator PCB level of 32¿µg/kg resulted in egg levels around 300¿ng/g fat. Exposure to dioxins through contaminated soil, mixed at 10% into the feed, resulted in a similar carry-over as from feed. Mycotoxin binders, mixed at 0.5% into the feed, had little effect on the carry-over of dioxins from the feed to the egg. It can be concluded that consumption of feed or soil with even moderate levels of dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs rapidly results in increased levels in eggs. The current EU dioxin limit for feed cannot guarantee egg dioxin levels below the EU-limit
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)518-527
JournalFood Additives and Contaminants
Volume23
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2006

Keywords

  • p-dioxins
  • chickens
  • bioaccumulation
  • animals
  • milk

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