On 10 June 2026, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) published a plain language summary updating its risk assessment of dioxins and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in feed and food. The update aims to refine the understanding of health risks from these persistent environmental contaminants, which accumulate in the food chain and pose long-term health concerns for consumers and livestock.
The document, prepared by EFSA's Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain (CONTAM), revises the tolerable weekly intake (TWI) and characterises the risk for different population groups. Dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs are by-products of industrial processes and waste incineration; they enter the food chain mainly through animal feed. The assessment considers new toxicological and exposure data since the previous EFSA opinion in 2018.
Policy orientations and trade-offs EFSA's update maintains a precautionary approach, confirming that a substantial proportion of the EU population exceeds the TWI, particularly through consumption of fatty fish, meat, and dairy products. The agency recommends continued monitoring and reduction of emissions at source. The trade-off lies between public health protection and economic impacts on the livestock and fisheries sectors, which may face stricter feed limits and testing costs. No specific regulatory changes are proposed in the summary, but the findings are expected to inform future European Commission and Member State risk management decisions.
Impact on stakeholders - Consumers: Potentially better protection if stricter limits are adopted, but no immediate change in dietary advice. - Livestock and feed producers: May face increased compliance costs for testing and sourcing low-contamination feed. - Food business operators: Could be required to adjust supply chains and implement additional monitoring. - EU and national regulators: Will use the assessment to review maximum levels in feed and food under EU legislation.
Expected institutional follow-up The European Commission and Member States are expected to consider the updated risk assessment in the context of ongoing reviews of maximum levels for dioxins and PCBs in food and feed, as well as source-directed measures under the Industrial Emissions Directive and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants.
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