Wednesday, 9 June 1999
National Alert Extended to Dioxin Contaminated Belgian Beef and Dairy Products
The Managing Director of the Australia New Zealand Food Authority (ANZFA), Mr Ian Lindenmayer, announced today that the existing Australian import controls on egg, poultry and pork products from Belgium, France and the Netherlands which may be contaminated with dioxin had been extended to include high fat beef and high fat dairy products.
'The European Commission decided on 4 June 1999 to cease export of these products from Belgium,' Mr Lindenmayer said.
Australia's import controls have been extended to these products from France and the Netherlands because animal feed contaminated with dioxin was also distributed to a large number of farms in those countries. The animal feed was known to be contaminated between 15 January and 1 June 1999.
Initially, ANZFA requested the Australian Quarantine Inspection Service (AQIS) to 'hold and test' at our border any egg, poultry and pork products from Belgium, France, or the Netherlands. These measures will continue. Australia does not import any raw pork, raw poultry or eggs in shell from these countries.
Following more information from Europe, ANZFA has decided to extend this import control to high fat beef and high fat dairy products from Belgium, France and the Netherlands. This is because dioxin is known to concentrate in the fatty portion of foods.
Australia does not import raw beef and only a limited number of processed beef products from these countries. Australia does not import fresh milk but does import other dairy products such as cheeses.
‘Consumers should be reassured that consumption of contaminated products from Belgium, France or the Netherlands over a short time is not likely to cause harmful effects. Harm to people may occur only after long term daily exposure to high levels of dioxins over decades.
‘Until ANZFA gives an 'all clear' on these products, concerned consumers may wish to avoid any pork, beef or poultry, or products derived from them (including high fat dairy products) produced in Belgium, France or the Netherlands.
'Consumers who wish to avoid products should read food labels to see whether food has been imported from Belgium, France, or the Netherlands and contains these products as ingredients,' Mr Lindenmayer said.
Foods such as patŽs, cheese, butter, and tinned meat (corned beef, ham) that are generally high in animal fat are more likely to be at risk of dioxin contamination. Chocolates from these countries are not considered to be a public health concern.
'ANZFA’s monitoring and surveillance staff are working with AQIS as a matter of urgency to identify, through computerised import records, any products from these countries that may have been imported during the period of contamination,' Mr Lindenmayer said.
ANZFA is working very closely with the food industry on this issue and has
advised importers to seek assurances from their suppliers about the safety and source of their imports. In many cases, importers have already provided ANZFA with government certification from Belgium, France or the Netherlands which clears their foods from dioxin contamination.
The facts on the Dioxin Contamination in Food Imported from Belgium
What has happened in Belgium?
Belgian and the European Union has advised that poultry, egg, pork, beef and dairy products from Belgium, the Netherlands and some areas of France may have been contaminated with high concentrations of dioxin.
From information obtained, it appears that animal feed in Belgium was contaminated after fat used as an ingredient was stored in dioxin contaminated containers.
Diagram 1 List of feed mills
to be inserted
Diagram 2: Feed was supplied to farms in the following countries:
Country | Number* | Type of farm |
Belgium | 475 | fowl |
| 540 | pig |
| 150 | cattle (75% dairy) |
The Netherlands | 120 | fowl |
| 500 (approx) | pig |
France | 81 | fowl |
| 66 | cattle |
* as at 8 June 1999.
The period of contamination was from 15 January 1999 to 1 June 1999.
Contamination has been confirmed in Belgian poultry and egg products, they are still testing pork, beef and dairy products. Belgium and the European Commission have ceased exports of poultry, egg, pork, beef and dairy products. Chickens have been destroyed and the slaughter and distribution of pigs and cattle prohibited
What is Australia Doing?
As soon as official information on 4 June 1999 from the European Union became available, the Australia New Zealand Food Authority (ANZFA) issued a ‘hold and test’ on all imported poultry, egg and pork products from Belgium, France and the Netherlands. This means that none of these products will be allowed into the country until found to be safe.
This ban was extended to high fat content, beef and dairy products on 8 June 1999 following a scientific risk assessment by ANZFA on new information received.
What is Dioxin?
Dioxin is produced during combustion processes and as an unwanted by product of some industrial chemical processes. Dioxins accumulate in animal fatty tissues.
Dioxin is highly toxic and is internationally classified as a class 1 carcinogen (highest ranking). In animal species, dioxins are acutely toxic at very low doses. Humans are much less susceptible to the acute (short-term) effects and the main effect observed from massive exposures to one form of dioxin during industrial accidents was damage to the skin (chloracne). Dioxins have also been shown to have chronic (long term) toxic effects following prolonged exposure, including cancer. Dioxin may also have adverse affects on the immune system, hormones and reproduction.
What should I do as a Consumer?
Consumers could be advised that the consumption of contaminated poultry, eggs, pork, beef, dairy and related products would not be expected to cause harmful effects, due to the relatively short period of exposure. Adverse effects in humans usually occurs only after prolonged exposure to high levels of dioxins over decades.
Until ANZFA can provide a clear cut result on these products any concerned consumer may wish to avoid any pork, beef or poultry, or products derived from them (including high fat dairy products such as cheeses and butter) produced in Belgium, France and the Netherlands between 15 January and 1 June 1999. Australia does not import any raw pork, poultry, eggs in shell and beef from these countries.
For more information:www.foodstandards.gov.au