Analyses of PFAS in foods of animal origin - Eurofins Scientific AG
Per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) in Food and Feed
Not only since the toxicological re-evaluation of the permitted intake levels for the two most important representatives of the per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) in 2018 this group of environmental contaminants has been the focus of risk managers, environmental authorities, official food and feed monitoring and producers.
In its 2020 opinion, EFSA again highlighted the need for more sensitive analytical methods for PFAS in food. Eurofins, in its Center of Excellence for Dioxins & Persistent Organic Compounds, closely follows developments in the field of environmental contaminants and is continuously working to improve existing analytical methods for the determination of PFAS.
Challenges for food and feed producers: Raw material selection
For food and feed producers, raw material selection can be challenging, especially around a source of contamination known as a "hot spot."
PFAS have been and are still deliberately processed by humans and used in a variety of industries worldwide (e.g., textiles, household products, firefighting, automotive, food processing, construction, electronics). The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) estimates that more than 4700 different PFAS compounds have been technically synthesized to date. This variability in compounds and application fields leads to a variety of input pathways into the environment, which are shown in the figure below:
Fig. 1: Entry and transport of PFAS in food and environment
Eurofins Competence Center continues to improve its analytical method for PFAS in food
As of December 2022, it is clear that maximum levels for the four priority PFASs in certain foods will come into force in the EU for the first time. The adjustments will apply from January 1, 2023.
The desired or required limits of quantification published by the EU are a challenge for many laboratories. Since PFAS are ubiquitously distributed in the environment, influences of blank values in the lab must be avoided, reduced and carefully controlled. These influences of blank values, in addition to other factors, also determine the achievable limits of quantification.
The competence center for dioxins & persistent organic compounds of the Eurofins Eurofins Food & Feed Testing laboratories closely follows developments in the field of environmental contaminants and is constantly working on improving existing analytical methods. Thus, we were recently able to double measurement capacities and again lower the limits of quantification for PFAS1 in food and feed.
What rules are relevant for Switzerland?
Based on the EFSA's assessment and the introduction of EU-wide maximum levels for PFAS in food, Switzerland is following suit. The transitional period on the amendment of December 8, 2023 only applies until July 31, 2024. Until then, foodstuffs may be imported and produced in accordance with the previous law and sold to consumers until stocks are reduced.
For the foodstuffs of animal origin listed below, maximum levels will apply from February 2024. The maximum levels are set in accordance with European Union (EU) legislation for the four priority substances PFOS, PFOA, PFNA and PFHxS and their sum.
Outlook
The issue of PFASs is likely to become a long-term focus of the controlling authorities, analogous to dioxins and PCBs, and to influence the risk assessment for food and feed production. According to Commission Recommendation (EU) 2022/1431 of August 24, 2022, EU Member States, together with food business operators, should monitor food for the presence of PFAS in 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025 and identify more comprehensive data for monitoring perfluoroalkyl substances in food. The Recommendation considers not only the four previously mentioned EFSA priority PFASs (PFOS, PFOA, PFHxS and PFNA), but also a variety of other PFASs that we can offer you through our Eurofins network.
The recommendation for monitoring covers a much wider range of foods. Monitoring is intended to cover a wide range of foods corresponding to consumption habits, including fruits, vegetables, starchy roots and tubers, mushrooms, seaweed, cereals, nuts, oilseeds, complementary foods for infants and young children, foods of animal origin, soft drinks, wine and beer.
We are pleased to offer the required LOQs by EURL for baby food.
Developments in analytical methods may change regulatory approaches by authorities in the future. Such developments include improvements in measurement sensitivity or expansion of the number of analysable parameters for the targeted detection of PFAS.
1 These analyses are performed in an accredited Lab within the Eurofins Network of Laboratories. The list is not exhaustive.