Dioxin food: The Federal Government's statement

Dioxin in animal feed from the Netherlands

On Tuesday November 3rd, the Dutch authorities informed via the European Rapid Alert System about dioxin contaminations in animal feed from a Dutch company. In the company that manufactures potato products (eg french fries), a dioxin-containing clay mineral kaolinite from Germany was used as an auxiliary for sorting potatoes. The authorities in the Netherlands assume that the by-products given out as animal feed (e.g. sorted potatoes, potato skins, potato pieces) contain the contaminated additive kaolinite. According to current knowledge, 162 farms were supplied in the Netherlands, eight in Belgium and three fattening farms in Germany (North Rhine-Westphalia). The establishments have been closed by the responsible authorities, so that no food from these establishments is currently being sold on the market. As early as November 1st, the Dutch authorities reported that they had found increased levels of dioxins in milk. Of the 70 samples, one was above the limit. As a result, the determination of the causes was initiated, which has now led to the discovery of the feed contamination.

According to the Dutch authorities, there is no danger from the potato products manufactured in the Dutch company, since the dioxin contamination is technologically limited to the by-products, i.e. the animal feed.

Both the EU Commission and the BMVEL have urgently asked the Dutch authorities to clarify whether other companies than those previously known have received contaminated feed. In addition, it must be clarified very quickly whether dioxin-contaminated milk or dioxin-contaminated meat from the Netherlands has reached the market in the past.

The causes have not yet been clarified. What is certain, however, is that according to the feed regulations, feed must be free, as far as technically possible, from additives used in the production of the feed - e.g. kaolinite. It must also be clarified here whether the provisions regarding prohibited raw materials have been observed.

Alexander Müller, State Secretary at the BMVEL explains: "Once again, improperly produced feed is the starting point for a food problem. Even if there is currently no evidence of an acute health risk: Dioxins have no place in either feed or food. The Dutch authorities are called upon , to punish this case severely. Furthermore, it shows how important a positive list for animal feed is, as we have been calling for in Brussels for years. It must be ruled out that pollutants enter the food chain due to a lack of care. A final one is needed for this List of permitted feed and risk assessment of manufacturing processes also required for by-products from food production."

Source: Berlin [bmvel]