Dioxins and PCBs

Dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are toxic chemicals that persist in the environment and accumulate in the food chain. Their presence in the environment in Europe has declined since the 1970s, following concerted efforts by public authorities and industry.

In the context of EFSA’s work, ‘dioxins’ refers to two groups of compounds: polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and dibenzofurans (PCDFs). Dioxins have no technological or other use but are generated in a number of thermal and industrial processes as unwanted and often unavoidable by-products. PCBs had widespread use in numerous industrial applications and were produced in large quantities for several decades with an estimated total world production of 1.2-1.5 million tonnes, until they were banned in most countries by the 1980s.

Dioxins and PCBs are found at low levels in many foods. Longer-term exposure Concentration or amount of a particular substance that is taken in by an individual, population or ecosystem in a specific frequency over a certain amount of time to these substances has been shown to cause a range of adverse effects on the nervous, immune and endocrine systems, and to impair reproductive functions. They may also cause cancer. Their persistence Persistence refers to the ability of harmful organisms like bacteria to survive and thrive despite regular cleaning and disinfection efforts, potentially lingering in hidden places for months or even years and accumulation in the food chain, notably in animal fat, therefore, continue to cause safety concerns.

Dioxins and some PCBs referred to as dioxin Persistent, chlorine-containing organic pollutant which occurs as by-product of industrial processes. It can accumulate in the food chain and pose a serious public and environmental health risk-like PCBs (due to their similar toxicological properties) are often considered together within the context of public health. Other PCBs referred to as ‘non-dioxin-like PCBs’ have a different mechanism of toxicity The specific sequence of events explaining how a substance causes a toxic effect but can also cause adverse health effects.

A balanced and varied diet can help reduce the risk of exposure to contaminants. Including a wide range of foods in the diet may lower the intake The amount of a substance (e.g. nutrient or chemical) that is ingested by a person or animal via the diet of these contaminants from any single source.

Latest

EFSA has launched a public consultation on its updated draft scientific opinion Opinions include risk assessments on general scientific issues, evaluations of an application for the authorisation of a product, substance or claim, or an evaluation of a risk assessment regarding the risks to human and animal health from the presence of dioxins and dioxin‐like PCBs in food and feed.

This update is based on the revised toxic equivalency factors (TEFs) published by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2024. TEFs are used to express the toxicity The potential of a substance to cause harm to a living organism of dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs in relation to the most toxic form of dioxin: 2,3,7,8-TCDD. The final scientific opinion is expected to be published in spring 2026

EFSA's role

EFSA’s Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain (CONTAM) provides scientific advice and risk assessments on dioxins and PCBs to EU risk managers to help them assess the need for regulatory measures such as the setting of maximum levels of dioxins and PCBs in contaminated food and feed. In particular, the CONTAM Panel is required to:

• Assess human and animal exposure, using occurrence The fact or frequency of something (e.g. a disease or deficiency in a population) happening data, in particular, from monitoring by EU Member States
• Consider the exposure of specific population Community of humans, animals or plants from the same species groups, e.g. infants and children and/or people following specific diets
• Consider the exposure of farm and domestic animals and the level of carryover from feed to foods of animal origin
• Make recommendations for the collection of data on dioxins and PCBs that enable the refinement of risk assessments

EFSA also collects and analyses occurrence data on dioxins and PCBs in food and feed. EU-wide data on the presence of dioxins and PCBs in the food chain can be used with food consumption data to evaluate the progress made in EU Member States in reducing the dietary exposure of the population to these contaminants. Risk managers may also use these data to revise maximum levels found in food and feed.

EU framework

In 2001, the European Union adopted a strategy on dioxins and PCBs aimed at reducing contamination levels of these substances in the environment, in feed and in foodstuffs to ensure a high level of public health protection. The European Commission website summarises the key milestones and provides details on the policy developments and regulatory measures taken since then.

• Food Contaminants: Dioxins and PCBs – European Commission

Still in 2001, the European Commission set for the first time maximum levels for dioxins, which were extended to dioxin-like PCBs in 2006. With Regulation EU 1259/2011 and Regulation EU 277/2012 they were updated and maximum levels were set for non-dioxin-like PCBs in food and feed, respectively. These regulations took account of more recent data on dioxins and PCBs in food and feed published in two EFSA scientific monitoring reports and an EFSA scientific opinion on non-dioxin-like PCBs.

• Regulation EU 2023/915 on maximum levels for certain contaminants in food – EUR-Lex
• Regulation EU 277/2012 setting maximum levels of dioxins and PCBs in feed – EUR-Lex

Member States are responsible for the monitoring of the levels of dioxins and PCBs in food. Previously, EFSA has been asked by the European Commission to collect, analyse and publish these data.

• Recommendation on monitoring of dioxins, dioxin-like PCBs and non-dioxin-like PCBs in foodstuffs – EUR-Lex