Dioxin in organic eggs causes still unknown

Dixion in Bioeier: Feed was not contaminated

09/04/2012

Authorities are urgently searching for the causes of dioxin contamination in organic eggs from producers in North Rhine-Westphalia. How the poison got into the eggs is still completely unclear. One thing is certain: The feed was not to blame, as proved by further test results.

Feed has so far no source of origin for the contamination
The search for the causes of dioxin finds in chicken eggs from North Rhine-Westphalia continues. Often contaminated feed is responsible for the contamination. But this option is becoming increasingly unlikely, according to the Ministry of Consumer Protection. Laboratory technicians have been investigating further feed samples of the closed egg producers in East Westphalia as well as two smaller Duisburg farms. After the first samples were already negative, no further analyzes were able to determine any limit value violations in the chicken feed, as a spokesman for the ministry reports.

Water and soil are examined
The investigators of the Chemical Veterinary and Investigation Office in Duisburg are now focusing on soils and water. Experts from the authorities took samples of the floor coverings, soil and the water system at the weekend. In addition, other eggs were taken for examination purposes. The investigation office also checks whether the companies as well as the private laboratories have complied with their reporting obligations or if there are any reporting irregularities. It could have already been delivered contaminated eggs in advance, the suspicion.

Dioxin finds have been known since mid-March
In mid-March, authorities had discovered during a routine inspection the dioxin-like chemical substance PCB (polychlorinated biphenyls) in eggs of a large organic farm in North Rhine-Westphalia. According to a statement from the North Rhine-Westphalian consumer protection ministry, the organic hens produce around 25,000 eggs per day. The organic eggs are superficially shipped to supermarkets and grocery stores. In all likelihood eggs have been traded, which is why health authorities warn against eating eggs with the stamp number 0-DE-0521041. Consumers who still store eggs in their refrigerator with specified markings should use these „do not eat, but dispose of immediately“, such a spokesman for the health authorities. Dioxin has a high half-life in the human body, because the toxin accumulates in the fat cells. The long-term consequence may be cancer and neurological damage. Although determined values ​​are above the limit value, the offices are currently not facing an acute threat to the population. Other experts generally assume a relative health risk from dioxin eggs.

Also affected two other small businesses
The authorities were worried that two more farms were also affected. Testers had also found increased levels of dioxin in the eggs in an organic farm, as well as in a learning and nursery school. The permitted limits were exceeded by four times, as a spokesman for the Ministry of Consumer Protection already announced on Thursday. The City of Duisburg, however, speaks of a double exceeding the limit. The Ministry had sharply criticized the city because the courts were not immediately closed after the first discovery.

Error of labeling led to the delivery of more eggs
First, consumer advocates had assumed that the eggs were last delivered on 7 March and thus long since entered the market. The company had indicated that the specified time was the last date of manufacture. A little later, however, the company had to admit that even after that an error in the labeling burdened eggs were delivered. This means that many consumers have now consumed highly probable contaminated eggs.

A few days ago, a company from Euskirchen announced that it had stored contaminated eggs. The company had your company sourced from the large business in East Westphalia-Lippe. Contrary to previous official communications, the eggs could also have the best before date „April 8th“ wear, like a speaker of the egg court „Hennes GmbH“ announced. So far, there has always been eggs with the best before date „March 31“ warned. According to the investigation of the Chemical and Veterinary Investigations Office Münsterland-Emscher-Lippe (CVUA), "no peak exceedances of dioxin-like PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) could be detected in the three egg samples of the conventionally operated farmyard area". Although the eggs have burdens, but that are "typical of chicken eggs with ubiquitous background burden". In addition, the characteristic dioxin and PCB profile already found in the "contaminated egg samples could not be detected in the new samples".

All businesses closed until further notice
The affected farms were all closed and are not allowed to deliver eggs until further notice. Until the reason for the border crossings is found, the farms may no longer be opened for distribution. A connection between the three companies could not be determined so far. External influences such as environmental pollution by neighboring industries are also being examined.

Meanwhile, the NRW Consumer Protection Minister Johannes Remmel has spoken out against a "softening of dioxin levels". "Dioxin and other pollutants have no place in food," said the minister. It is therefore the duty of manufacturers to minimize pollution. In addition, it was not the task of politicians, "to make the limits as certain lobby groups would like," criticized Remmel. The Minister is therefore calling for greater efforts from the food and food industry in the fight against dioxin pollution. "Associations should focus their efforts on ensuring that food is not contaminated - and not on the softening of limits at the expense of consumers." (Sb)

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Picture: Gerd Altmann / myself