In the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration (DVFA) investigations of cattle, PFOS is the substance, which is most often found. PFOS binds to protein and is found in the highest concentrations in animal products such as beef and fish. For meat the source of PFOS can be feed or water.
EFSA expects that the European citizens' exposure to PFAS through food primarily comes from fish (ca. 60 %), fruit (ca. 13 %), eggs (ca. 11 %) and meat (ca. 8 %), whereas vegetables, dairy, and drinking water contributes less than this. The contributions are a combination of content in foods and diet patterns.
In 2020 EFSA reduced the acceptable weekly intake to 4 ng/kg bodyweight for the sum of the substances PFOS, PFOA, PFHxS and PFNA.
Legislation
EU has set maximum limits for PFAS in animal products in regulation 2023/915. The regulation sets maximum limits for PFOS, PFOA, PFNA and PFHxS individually and for the sum of the four substances (4PFAS) in fishery products, meat and eggs.
Samples for testing of compliance with the ML's should be taken according to regulation 2022/1428.
The Commission has issued a recommendation 2022/1431 on data collection of PFAS in foodstuffs. This recommendation contains indicative levels for PFAS in among others milk, fruit, vegetables and food for infants and young children. If findings are above the indicative levels, the causes of the contamination must be investigated further.
Denmark has national legislation that sets maximum indicative levels for PFAS in feed and water for cattle and sheep.
Order on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in cattle and sheep
Guidance on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in cattle and sheep
Additionally, Denmark has national legislation that allows for the grazing of contaminated areas with special nature preservation considerations
Order on the authorization of grazing of contaminated areas with special nature preservation considerations
Guidance on the authorization of grazing of contaminated areas with special nature preservation considerations
Environmental hot spot contaminations
PFAS can accumulate in animals. When elevated levels of PFAS in the environment is found and there is food production on the area, the DVFA will evaluate the risk of non-compliance levels of PFAS in the produced food. Samples of blood from grassing animals, meat or fruit and vegetables can be taken to evaluate levels of PFAS in the produced food. If non-compliant levels are found, the DVFA will ban sales of the commodities from this area.
Control of PFAS levels in food has been included in the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration´s annual control since 2011. Meat from pigs, chicken, cows and game is included in the control programme and also eggs, milk, fish and shellfish.
The DVFA will intervene when levels are above maximum limits.
Results of PFAS testing in foodstuffs
Food contact materials
Previously, PFAS have been used in paper and board food contact materials such as baking sheets, muffin forms and fast food paper. Denmark banned marketing of paper and board food contact materials with added PFAS in 2020.