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.
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 microg/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.
Hoogenboom
L A P
LA
RIKILT Institute of Food Safety, Wageningen, The Netherlands. ron.hoogenboom@wur.nl
Kan
C A
CA
Zeilmaker
M J
MJ
Van Eijkeren
J
J
Traag
W A
WA
D000005:Abdomen; D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000737:chemistry; D000821:Animal Feed / Q000032:analysis*; D000818:Animals; D002645:Chickens; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004147:Dioxins / Q000032:analysis / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D004531:Eggs / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D005506:Food Contamination / Q000032:analysis*; D009183:Mycotoxins / Q000378:metabolism*; D010053:Ovary / Q000737:chemistry; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls / Q000032:analysis / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000032:analysis / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*
D004147:Dioxins; D009183:Mycotoxins; D012989:Soil Pollutants; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls