Eggs packed at five local farms had low traces of Fipronil; no negative health effects expected

So far eggs packed in five Maltese farms have been identified as having extremely low amounts of Fipronil, however with the current exposure levels, no negative health effects are expected the Malta Independent was told during a press briefing at the Health Ministry,

Superintendent of Public Health Charmaine Gauci, Director of Environmental Health Clive Tonna, Director General of the Veterinary and Phytosanitary Regulation Department Marica Gatt and Chief Veterinary Officer Roberto Andrea Balbo were present during the meeting.

They explained that on 7 August, a decision was taken for a random sampling of eggs to be taken. The eggs were sampled between 16-18 August for Fipronil, despite Malta at that point not having been tagged as having received contaminated eggs or having any implicated farms. 20 samples of eggs were taken (6 imported, 14 locally packed).

The eggs were sent for analysis in a lab in Germany, as Malta does not have a lab capable of such tests. The results were communicated to the Maltese Public Health authorities on 30 August. Eight out of the 20 samples contained small traces of Fipronil, these included six of the locally packed eggs and two imported from Italy.

The positive samples results ranged from 0.024 to 0.21 mg per kg of Fipronil. The European Commission, this newsroom was told, considers the acute reference dose for eggs to be 0.72 mg per kg, any amount over may be of negative consequence on human health. The Maltese samples contained amounts below this mark.

Europe has a harmonised approach to deal with the current situation. In cases where levels are below 0.72 mg per kg, as is Malta's case, the farms are blocked from selling their food, and the food from said farms will be withdrawn from the market. The eggs will then be destroyed. Farms will only again be allowed to sell their eggs once they are compliant with the maximum residue level of 0.005 mg per kg. The five Maltese farms are currently at this stage, and further samples have been sent to the German lab.

This newsroom was told that there are no health effects expected with the current possible exposures via eggs in general. Also, across the EU there have been no reports of symptoms related to such consumption, the spokespersons said.

Thus far, this newsroom was told, no evidence that fipronil was used at the farms has been found.

The Maltese Health Authorities will sample eggs from the 31 other farms found on the Maltese islands, this newsroom was told, and paultry will also be tested. The authorities will also continue to monitor the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed, and has submitted its findings to the alert system.

Fipronil is a broad-spectrum insecticide and acaricide. It is authorised in the EU for use in veterinary medicine to combat insects such as fleas, lice, ticks, cockroaches and mites. Its use on food producing animals, however, is not permitted., and it cannot be used on surfaces where food is prepared or bedding of food producing animals.

 

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