FDA has received information that fat from a rendering company in Belgium was contaminated with dioxins and/or PCBs in January of 1999. This product was shipped to animal feed manufacturers and incorporated into animal feed distributed to poultry, hog and cattle farms in Belgium, France, and the Netherlands, with the majority of the product going to Belgium. Analysis of chickens and eggs in Belgium revealed PCBs and dioxins.

On June 4,1999 FDA issued an Import Bulletin to the field directing animal feed, and animal By-Products for animal food from France, Belgium and Netherlands; and egg-containing products, from Belgium offered for entry into the U.S. to be held at the port of entry. On June 11, 1999 FDA issued Import Alert 99-24, "Detention Without Physical Examination of Human Food Products and Animal Feeds Contaminated with Dioxin and/or PCB Compounds".

CVM has extended the import ban to all European countries for animal feeds and pet foods because of the uncertainty on the extent of the contamination and the lack of measures to prevent exposed animals from being recycled into the feed supply. FDA’s position is discussed in a June 11, 1999, FDA Talk Paper: All Egg And Egg-Containing Products From Belgium, France And The Netherlands And Animal Feed From European Countries To Be Detained At Ports Of Entry - June 11, 1999, and in another FDA Talk Paper on June 23, 1999, All Milk And Milk-Containing Food Products From Belgium To Be Detained At Ports Of Entry.

In addition to detaining and screening products being presented for import, FDA is tracking and sampling products that may have already been imported during the January to June, 1999, time period. FDA has given this issue Top Priority. CVM and the Office of Regulatory Affairs have been assigned the task of collecting and analyzing animal feeds (medicated and non-medicated), feed ingredients, and pet foods to determine levels of polychlorinated biphenyl’s (PCBs) and/or dioxins. In addition they are assigned the task of removing unsafe or violative products from consumer channels. For additional information, please see the "Assignment to Collect and Analyze Domestic-Import Samples Suspected of PCB and Dioxin Contamination". | html | | pdf |

Guidance Documents

On August 23, 1999, FDA issued a guidance representing the Agency's current thinking on possible dioxin/PCB contamination of animal source material in EU countries: Guidance for Industry: Possible Dioxin/PCB Contamination of Drug and Biological Products. | html | | pdf |

Links

Center for Food Safety and Nutrition

European Commission press releases and decision