News item | 13-03-2024 | 10:00
A risk assessment by the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) shows that Dutch hobby chicken eggs can contain high concentrations of PFAS. It is currently unclear what the source of this is. The Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport and the RIVM are starting a follow-up investigation to determine the possible sources. In the meantime, the Nutrition Center’s advice is that the safest choice is to opt for eggs from the supermarket, from specialty stores or from the market. People who choose to eat eggs from their own chickens are advised to alternate with eggs from the supermarket.
Advice Bureau Risk Assessment & Research (BuRO)
Previous research by NRC and four municipalities in the Dordrecht area and research by the NOS in Friesland, Utrecht and Limburg shows that tested eggs from hobby chicken farmers contain too much PFAS. Due to concerns about consumer health, the Risk Assessment & Research Office (BuRO) of the NVWA has decided to carry out a risk assessment. BuRO advises the Minister for Medical Care – in addition to starting additional research – to ask the Nutrition Center to inform consumers about the possible risks to public health of PFAS due to consumption of hobby chicken eggs. The Nutrition Center publishes this information on the website.
PFAS
PFAS is a collective name for a large group of chemicals that are used, for example, to ensure that consumer products are grease- and water-repellent. A number of PFAS can be harmful to health. In recent years, a new, lower limit value has been established for the maximum acceptable intake of PFAS per day based on scientific research. Weekly PFAS intake through consumption of eggs, for example, over a longer period of time can lead to health risks.