Over 250.000 eggs recalled in Germany in latest dioxin scare

More than a quarter of a million chicken eggs are being recalled in Germany after in-house testing discovered “excessive levels” of the poisonous chemical, dioxin.                                     
The contamination has so far been detected at just one farm in the Emsland area of Lower Saxony. The farm has been closed as a consequence and its 12000 chicken have been quarantined.

Authorities have established so far around 268.000 eggs were distributed from the farm in question to seven German states including Lower Saxony. There have been no reports to date of the dioxin-contaminated eggs in other countries.
In January 2011, authorities in Germany issued a European Union-wide health alert after it emerged that feed contaminated with dioxin had been fed to hens and pigs.
Natasha Manski, spokesperson for the state Lower Saxony, tells that contaminated feed is one option being considered as the source. It is also examining whether the contamination could have originated in the area surrounding the farm.

They have to find the origin of the pathogen
Manski said that right now they are searching for a reason for the contamination. They have taken samples and have been tested animal feed and other materials found on the farm.     Now the next step is to take a closer look at the area surrounding the farm, because they have to find the original problem as soon as possible.

In January 2011, around 3000 tons of animal fed tainted with industrial fats containing the toxic chemical were shipped to farms across Germany-leading to the contamination of eggs, poultry meat and pork.                                                                                                                            The contamination led to the temporary closure of hundreds of farms and the cull of thousand of animals. Authorities have refused to rule out that tainted feed could be the cause in this case.

There is no immediate health risk
The contamination was discovered as a result of controls put in place after the January 2011 dioxin scandal in Germany. Despite the recall, authorities in the country have reiterated that the potentially contaminated eggs pose no serious risk to the public because is only dangerous if consumed over long periods of time. So there is no directly risk from eating eggs, according to what says the government. This is also valid for other contaminated products like pork meat and poultry meat.
Source: http://www.foodqualitynews.com

Aporte: Julia Lissek