Procjena zdravstvenog rizika izloženosti toksičnim elementima u mesu i mesnim proizvodima iz Hrvatske

The aim of this study was to measure the concentrations of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), aluminium (Al), chromium (Cr) and nickel (Ni) in meat (pork and beef neck) and meat products (meat with beans, breakfast meat, chicken pâté, ham, and pork sausage) purchased from supermarkets in several Croatian cities. Element concentrations were analysed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Mean element concentrations in meat and meat products were measured in the ranges (μg/kg): Al 523-19,179, As 2.25-5.63, Cd 2.02-2.86, Cr 20.8-132.6, Ni 4.78-166.9, Pb, 3.53-7.49. The highest mean concentrations of elements were found in: Al in chicken pâté; As and Cd in ham; Cr and Ni in meat with beans; Pb in pork sausage. All measured Cd and Pb levels were below the European Commission limits of 50 and 100 μg/kg, respectively, and there were no significant differences in these elements between products. Significant differences in the content of Al, As, Cr and Ni were determined between meat and meat products. An estimation of the dietary daily (EDI) and weekly (EWI) intakes of elements associated with the consumption of meat and meat products were calculated. Measured element concentrations in meat and meat products contributed to the provisional tolerable weekly intake level (PTWI) and tolerable weekly intake level (TWI) in the ranges (%): 1.13-43.5 (Al); 0.33-0.87 (As); 0.32- 0.68 (Pb); 2-2.4 (Cd), and to the permitted daily exposure (PDE) values in the ranges (%): 0.03-0.17 (Cr); 0.003-0.18 (Ni). Results of comparison with the toxicological reference values suggest no concern with regard to exposure to the analysed elements for consumers who often consume these meats and meat products. The exception is Cr content, which may pose a problem given the values set by the national legislation. Lower concentrations of As, Al, Cd, Cr, Ni and Pb in meat and meat products were determined in this study in comparison with the available literature data from other countries.Cilj ovog istraživanja bio je određivanje koncentracija toksičnih metala arsena (As), kadmija (Cd) i olova (Pb), kao i aluminija (Al), kroma (Cr) i nikla (Ni) u mesu (svinjska i goveđa vratina) i mesnim proizvodima (meso s grahom, mesni doručak, pileća pašteta, šunka i svinjska kobasica) nabavljenih u trgovačkim lancima različitih hrvatskih gradova. Koncentracije elemenata analizirane su primjenom masene spektrometrije induktivno spregnute plazme (ICP-MS). Srednje koncentracije elemenata u mesu i mesnim proizvodima mjerene su u rasponu (μg/kg): Al 523-19179, As 2,25-5,63, Cd 2,02- 2,86, Cr 20,8-132,6, Ni 4,78-166,9, Pb 3,53- 7,49. Najveće srednje koncentracije elemenata određene su u: Al u pilećoj pašteti, As i Cd u šunki, Cr i Ni u mesu s grahom, Pb u svinjskoj kobasici. Sve izmjerene koncentracije Cd i Pb bile su ispod granica Europske komisije od 50 i 100 μg/kg. Ustvrđene su statistički značajne razlike u sadržaju Al, As, Cr i Ni između mesa i mesnih proizvoda. Nije bilo značajnih razlika u koncentracijama Cd i Pb. Izračunata je dnevna (EDI) i tjedna (EWI) količina unesenih elemenata povezanih s potrošnjom mesa i proizvoda. Određene koncentracije Al, As, Pb i Cd u mesu i mesnim proizvodima pridonijele su privremenim podnošljivim tjednim nivoima unosa (PTWI) i podnošljivom tjednom unosu (TWI) u rasponima (%): 1,13-43,5; 0,33-0,87; 0,32-0,68; 2-2,4. Također, koncentracije Cr i Ni izmjerene u mesu i mesnim proizvodima pridonijele su dopuštenim dnevnim vrijednostima izlaganja (PDE) u rasponima (%): 0,03- 0,17 i 0,003-0,18. Rezultati usporedbe s toksikološkim referentnim vrijednostima ne ukazuju na zabrinutost s obzirom na izloženost analiziranim elementima za potrošače koji često konzumiraju istražene vrste mesa i mesnih proizvoda. Izuzetak je sadržaj Cr, što može predstavljati problem s obzirom na vrijednosti ustvrđene nacionalnim zakonodavstvom. U ovom istraživanju ustvrđene su uglavnom niže koncentracije As, Al, Cd, Cr, Ni i Pb u mesu i mesnim proizvodima u usporedbi s dostupnim literaturnim podatcima u mesu i proizvodima iz drugih zemalja

Koncentracije ostataka veterinarskih lijekova u mlijeku s individualnih farmi u Hrvatskoj

A total of 119 raw milk samples collected at individual small milk-producing facilities and collection tanks of milk routes from five counties of east and north continental Croatia were examined for chloramphenicol, sulfonamides, tetracyclines, gentamicin, streptomycin, dihydrostreptomycin, flumequine and enrofloxacin from January to March of 2011. Immunoassay methods used for drug determination were validated according to the guidelines laid down by European Commission Decision 2002/657/EC. Data indicated that the methods are appropriate for the detection of antibiotics measured. Measured mean values (μg L-1) of antibiotics were: 0.005 for chloramphenicol, 3.67 for sulfonamides, 2.83 for tetracyclines, 1.10 for gentamicin, 2.64 for streptomycin, 7.67 for dihydrostreptomycin, 10.4 for flumequine and 4.11 for enrofloxacin. None of samples analyzed showed the presence of veterinary drug residues above the maximum residues levels (MRLs) established by European Union and Croatian legislation. The calculated estimated daily intakes (EDIs) for the average daily milk consumption of 300 mL for an adult in Croatia for examined antibiotics showed levels 20 to 1640 times lower than the values of acceptable daily intakes (ADIs) fixed by European Medicines Agency and World Health Organization. This suggested that toxicological risk associated with the consumption of analysed milk could not be considered a public health issue with regards to these veterinary drugs.Tijekom 3 mjeseca analizirano je ukupno 119 uzoraka mlijeka na veterinarske lijekove: kloramfenikol, sulfonamide, tetraciklin, gentamicin, streptomicin, dihidrostreptomicin, flumekin i enrofloksacin. Imunoenzimske metode korištene za određivanje veterinarskih lijekova validirane su prema odredbama propisanim Odlukom Europske komisije 2002/657/ EC. Rezultati validacije metoda pokazuju da su primijenjene metode prikladne za tu namjenu. Ni u jednom uzorku mlijeka nije utvrđena koncentracija ostataka veterinarskih lijekova iznad najviših dopuštenih količina (NDK) utvrđenih Europskom legislativom. Izračunate procjene unosa određivanih lijekova mlijekom su za 20 do 1640 puta niže od zadanih prihvatljivih dnevnih količina unosa. Prema dobivenim rezultatima može se zaključiti da određivani veterinarski lijekovi ne predstavljaju toksikološki rizik za potrošače s obzirom na rezultate analize mlijeka na ostatke antibiotika s malih farmi

Koncentracije ostataka veterinarskih lijekova u mlijeku s individualnih farmi u Hrvatskoj

A total of 119 raw milk samples collected at individual small milk-producing facilities and collection tanks of milk routes from five counties of east and north continental Croatia were examined for chloramphenicol, sulfonamides, tetracyclines, gentamicin, streptomycin, dihydrostreptomycin, flumequine and enrofloxacin from January to March of 2011. Immunoassay methods used for drug determination were validated according to the guidelines laid down by European Commission Decision 2002/657/EC. Data indicated that the methods are appropriate for the detection of antibiotics measured. Measured mean values (μg L-1) of antibiotics were: 0.005 for chloramphenicol, 3.67 for sulfonamides, 2.83 for tetracyclines, 1.10 for gentamicin, 2.64 for streptomycin, 7.67 for dihydrostreptomycin, 10.4 for flumequine and 4.11 for enrofloxacin. None of samples analyzed showed the presence of veterinary drug residues above the maximum residues levels (MRLs) established by European Union and Croatian legislation. The calculated estimated daily intakes (EDIs) for the average daily milk consumption of 300 mL for an adult in Croatia for examined antibiotics showed levels 20 to 1640 times lower than the values of acceptable daily intakes (ADIs) fixed by European Medicines Agency and World Health Organization. This suggested that toxicological risk associated with the consumption of analysed milk could not be considered a public health issue with regards to these veterinary drugs.Tijekom 3 mjeseca analizirano je ukupno 119 uzoraka mlijeka na veterinarske lijekove: kloramfenikol, sulfonamide, tetraciklin, gentamicin, streptomicin, dihidrostreptomicin, flumekin i enrofloksacin. Imunoenzimske metode korištene za određivanje veterinarskih lijekova validirane su prema odredbama propisanim Odlukom Europske komisije 2002/657/ EC. Rezultati validacije metoda pokazuju da su primijenjene metode prikladne za tu namjenu. Ni u jednom uzorku mlijeka nije utvrđena koncentracija ostataka veterinarskih lijekova iznad najviših dopuštenih količina (NDK) utvrđenih Europskom legislativom. Izračunate procjene unosa određivanih lijekova mlijekom su za 20 do 1640 puta niže od zadanih prihvatljivih dnevnih količina unosa. Prema dobivenim rezultatima može se zaključiti da određivani veterinarski lijekovi ne predstavljaju toksikološki rizik za potrošače s obzirom na rezultate analize mlijeka na ostatke antibiotika s malih farmi

Levels of hazardous trace elements in estuarine sediments, fish, mussels and wild boar collected from the Raša Bay area (Croatia)

A part of the Raša Bay (western Croatia) is an estuary that is fed by the sediment load from the Raša River. The local area had been affected by the former Raša coal industry. The aim of this study was to determine levels of hazardous trace elements (HTEs) in bottom estuarine sediments, fish and mussels collected from two sites downstream of the Raša River mouth, and a wild boar’s kidney donated by hunters. The pseudo-total concentrations of 21 HTEs in sediments were obtained by the X-ray fluorescence (XRF) technique. The results showed that sediment collected closest to the former Raša coal separation unit Štalije was enriched in V, Sr, Ni, Cu, and Pb. Concentrations of HTEs in flathead grey mullet, wild blue mussels, and wild boar were obtained by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The results showed that Pb, Cd and Hg in fish and wild mussels were not elevated compared to the Regulation levels of contaminants in food. Lead and Cd in the kidney of a wild boar exceeded the prescribed maximum values for food. This study warrants further geochemical investigations of the Raša Bay environment

Ensuring quality in primary production of meat

Sažetak U ovom radu prikazana je važnost uspostave sustava temeljenog na načelima analize opasnosti i kritičnih kontrolnih točaka (HACCP). Danas, u Republici Hrvatskoj Zakon o hrani (N.N. 46/07) zahtijeva od subjekata u poslovanju s hranom uspostavu sustava upravljanja sigurnošću hrane temeljenog na HACCP principima. Putem sustava predstavljena je primjena preventivnih mjera koje će koncept analize rizika smanjiti na najmanju moguću mjeru. Preventivne mjere, ako se učinkovito primjene na poznate kritične točke, smanjuju vjerojatnost pojave rizika na prihvatljivu razinu. HACCP sustav sastoji se od 7 načela a njegova implementacija provodi se u 12 koraka. Neposredno nakon uspostave sustava nužna je edukacija i osposobljavanje zaposlenika, no pravilno dugoročno funkcioniranje sustava može se osigurati samo kroz redovito revidiranje dokumentacije i HACCP plana, kako bi bili aktualni s nastalim promjenama.This paper gives an overview of the importance of setting up a system based on the principles of hazard analysis and critical control points (HACCP). In the Republic of Croatia today, the Food Act (OG 46/07) requires food businesses to establish a quality control system based on the HACCP principles. The system presents the application of preventative measures which reduces the concept of risk analysis to the lowest possible level. Preventative measures, if effectively applied to known critical points, reduce the likelihood or appearance of risk to an acceptable level. The HACCP system consists of seven principles, and its implementation is carried out in twelve steps. Directly after the establishment of the system, it is necessary to educate and train the employees. However, a long-term functioning of the system can only be ensured through the regular revision of documentation and the HACCP plans in order to keep it up to date with any changes that have taken place

Content of cadmium, mercury and lead in bovine and porcine kidney tissue

U radu su prikazani rezultati istraživanja teških metala kadmija (Cd), žive (Hg) i olova (Pb) u bubrežnom tkivu 78 goveda i 45 svinja iz ruralnih područja Republike Hrvatske uzorkovanih tijekom 2009. godine. Sadržaj Cd i Pb je određen metodom atomske apsorpcijske spektrometrije primjenom gratne tehnike, a Hg direktnim spaljivanjem na živinom analizatoru. Količine Cd, Hg i Pb određene u bubrežnom tkivu goveda bile su znatno više u odnosu na količine utvrđene u svinja. Dobivene vrijednosti Cd i Pb podudaraju se sa re- zultatima u goveda i svinja, dok su utvrđene količine Hg u obje vrste životinja niže od količina utvrđenih u ruralnim područjima drugih zemalja Europske Zajednice. U 13 % uzoraka bubrega goveda utvrđene količine Cd su više od najviše dopuštene količine od 1 mg/kg, dok su u svega 1,15 % bubrežnog tkiva goveda utvrđene količine Pb bile više od najviše dopuštene količine od 0,5 mg/kg. U bubrezima svinja nisu utvrđene količine iznad najviših dopuštenih količina. Najviše dopuštene količine Hg nisu određene legislativom Europske Zajednice odnosno Republike Hrvatske te su dobiveni rezultati uspoređeni sa literaturnim vrijednostima. Samo u 1,15 % uzoraka bubrega goveda količine Hg su prelazile 0,03 mg/kg, dok u svinja nije utvrđen niti jedan takav slučaj. Dobiveni rezultati potvrđuju potrebu kontrole količina Cd, Hg i Pb u bubrežnom tkivu goveda na liniji klanja. Istovremeno bubrežno tkivo svinja je pogodno za konzumaciju široke populacije jer su utvrđene količine Cd i Pb ispod najviših dopuštenih količina.The paper presents the results of the study of heavy metals: cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg) and lead (Pb) in kidney tissue of 78 cattle and 45 pigs from rural regions of Croatia, sampled in 2009. Cd and Pb levels were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry by application of graphite technique, and Hg levels by direct burning on a mercury analyser. Cd, Hg and Pb levels determined in bovine kidney tissue signicantly exceeded the levels established in pigs. The obtained results of Cd and Pb corresponded to the values from rural regions of other EU countries, while Hg levels were lower in comparison to other EU regions. In 13% of bovine kidney samples, Cd levels exceeding the maximum permitted levels (1 mg/kg) were found, while only in 1.15% of bovine kidney tissue, Pb levels exceeded the maximum permitted ones (0.5 mg/kg). Levels exceeding the maximum permitted quantity were not found in porcine kidneys. Maximum permitted Hg levels are not set forth in EU or Croatian legislation; thus the results were compared with reference values. In only 1.15% of bovine kidney samples, Hg levels exceeded 0.3 mg/kg, while no such case was found in pigs. The results have conrmed the need to control Cd, Hg and Pb levels in bovine kidney tissue on slaughter line. At the same time, porcine kidney tissue is suitable for consumption by general population as Cd and Pb levels were below maximum permitted ones

Koncentracije kadmija i olova u tkivima dobrog (Tursiops truncatus) i plavobijelog dupina (Stenella coeruleoalba) nasukanih na hrvatskoj obali Jadranskoga mora.

Concentrations of cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) were measured by atomic absorption spectrometry in the livers, kidneys and muscles of 15 bottlenose (Tursiops truncatus) and two striped (Stenella coeruleoalba) dolphins, stranded dead along the Croatian Adriatic coast from 1990 to 1999. Cd concentrations (μg/g wet weight (w.w.)) ranged from 0.004 to 0.670 in muscle, from 0.004 to 1.842 in kidney and from 0.004 to 2.548 in liver tissues. Similarly, total Pb concentrations (μg/g w.w.) ranged from 0.01 to 0.46 in muscles, from 0.01 to 0.95 in kidneys and from 0.01 to 2.38 in livers. Cd and Pb concentrations revealed no significant differences between adults (n = 10; >6 years) and juveniles (n = 7; liver>muscle, which is a typical Cd distribution pattern. Significant positive correlations of Cd concentrations were found between livers and kidneys (r = 0.63, P = 0.015), and livers and muscles (r = 0.74, P = 0.0008). Furthermore, a significant positive correlation of Pb concentrations was determined between kidneys and muscles (r = 0.75, P = 0.001), opposite to the significant negative correlation between liver and muscle Pb concentrations (r = -0.66, P = 0.004). Our study reports the Cd and Pb concentrations in tissues of the most abundant delphinid species in the Adriatic Sea, sampled over a 10-year period. These data are required for future studies on toxic metal accumulations and their dynamics in Adriatic dolphins and in the Adriatic environment.Koncentracije kadmija (Cd) i olova (Pb) određene su u uzorcima jetrenog, mišićnog i bubrežnog tkiva 15 dobrih (Tursiops truncatus) i 2 plavobijela (Stenella coeruleoalba) dupina uginulih od 1990. do 1999. godine uzduž hrvatskog dijela Jadranskoga mora. Koncentracija kadmija kretala se od 0,004 do 0,670 μg/g u mišiću, 0,004 do 1,842 μg/g u bubregu i od 0,004 do 2,548 μg/g u jetri (vlažna težina). Koncentracije olova kretale su se od 0,01 do 0,46 μg/g u mišiću, od 0,01 do 0,95 μg/g u bubregu i od 0,01 do 2,38 μg/g u jetri. Razlika u koncentracijama Cd i Pb u tkivima mladih (n = 7; 6 godina) životinja nije bila statistički značajna. Srednje vrijednosti Cd kretale su se prema uobičajenoj distribuciji od najviše u bubrezima prema najnižoj u mišićima (bubrezi>jetra>mišići). Statistički značajnu pozitivnu korelaciju pokazuju koncentracija Cd u jetri i bubrezima (r = 0,63, P = 0,015) i koncentracija u jetri i mišiću (r = 0,74, P = 0,0008). Jednako tako statistički značajnu pozitivnu korelaciju pokazuju koncentracija Pb u bubrezima i u mišiću (r = 0,75, P = 0,001), dok je između jetre i mišića korelacija negativna (r = -0,66, P = 0,004). Ovim istraživanjem koje obuhvaća raspon od 10 godina određene su koncentracije Cd i Pb u tkivima najučestalijih vrsta dupina Jadranskoga mora. Utvrđene razine teških metala osnova su za buduća istraživanja njihove koncentracije i dinamike u jadranskim dupinima, ali i cjelokupnom jadranskom okolišu

POVIŠENE RAZINE OPASNIH ELEMENATA U TRAGOVIMA (CD, CU, PB, SE, ZN) U TKIVIMA PTICA U KONTEKSTU RAŠKIM UGLJENOM ONEČIŠĆENA OKOLIŠA

The mining and burning of Croatian Raša coal had resulted in release of various contaminants into the local environment. They have remained in the local soil, water, and plants, and became available to animals through their consumption. In this study, tissue samples from a total of 12 birds from the Raša area and 8 birds from a control area were subjected to multi-element analysis (Al, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Mo, Cd, Pb) by ICP-MS. The obtained results showed increased Se and Cd concentrations in some bird tissue samples compared to the control area. The highest concentrations of Cu, Zn, and Se were found in the liver, while the highest concentrations of Cd and Pb were found in the kidneys. Although some hazardous trace elements were elevated in the tissues of game species, the risk of consuming meat and offal of such species has been found to be very low.Rudarske i industrijske aktivnosti povezane s raškim ugljenom rezultirale su ispuštanjem raznih onečišćujućih tvari u lokalni okoliš. Te tvari i dalje su prisutne u lokalnome tlu, vodi i biljkama te su dostupne životinjama unosom hrane. U ovome istraživanju uzorci tkiva ukupno 12 ptica iz područja Raše te 8 ptica iz kontrolnoga područja podvrgnuti su multielementnoj (Al, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Mo, Cd, Pb) analizi s pomoću metode ICP-MS. Dobiveni rezultati pokazali su povišene koncentracije Se i Cd u nekim uzorcima tkiva ptica u usporedbi s kontrolnim područjem. Najveće koncentracije Cu, Zn i Se nađene su u uzorcima jetre, dok su najviše koncentracije Cd i Pb nađene u bubrezima. Iako su neki opasni elementi u tragovima povišeni u tkivima prikupljenih divljih ptica, analizom podataka utvrđeno je da je rizik od prehrambena unosa (meso i iznutrice) tih vrsta vrlo nizak

Insecticide fipronil in poultry products in the European Union

Fipronil je insekticid širokog spektra djelovanja koji se ubraja u skupinu fenilpirazola. Prvi je insekticid koji je djelovao ciljajući GABA (gama-aminomaslačnu kiselinu) receptor i imao povoljnu selektivnu toksičnost prema insektima, ali ne i sisavcima. U skladu s uredbom (EZ) br. 1107/2009. fipronil nije odobren u sredstvima za zaštitu bilja te je zabranjeno tretiranje životinja namijenjenih za prehranu ljudi u Europskoj uniji (EU). Najveća dopuštena količina (NDK) fipronila ustvrđena je prema Uredbi 396/2005. o maksimalnim razinama ostataka pesticida u i na hrani i hrani za životinje biljnog i životinjskog podrijetla te za jaja i meso peradi iznosi 0,005 mg/kg. Svjetska zdravstvena organizacija (WHO) klasificirala je fipronil kao umjereno opasan pesticid II klase. Konzumiranje malih količina fipronila izaziva mučninu, glavobolju, povraćanje, bol u želucu, slabost i vrtoglavicu. Nakon apsorpcije u ljudi distribuira se u tkiva i oslobađa aktivne metabolite koji se nakupljaju uglavnom u masnom tkivu. Eksperimenti na miševima pokazali su da produljena izloženost visokim dozama fipronila prouzroči rak štitnjače u mužjaka i ženki. Pojava fipronila u jajima u EU zabilježena je 2016. godine u Belgiji. Kao posljedica ustvrđene zlouporabe fipronila na farmama pilića, države članice EU i Europska komisija dogovorile su provedbu ad-hoc monitoringa na ostatke insekticida fipronila i drugih akaricida u jajima i mesu peradi. Europska agencija za sigurnost hrane (EFSA) objavila je izvješće o rezultatima monitoringa te su u ukupnoj količini od 5439 uzoraka jaja i mesa peradi u zemljama članicama EU i Islandu u 742 uzorka (13,6 %) ustvrđene količine veće od zakonski dopuštenih. Većina nesukladnih rezultata odnosila se na fipronil u uzorcima kokošjih jaja i masnog tkiva kokoši nesilica. U uzorcima iz Republike Hrvatske nisu ustvrđeni nesukladni rezultati. Uzorci koji su prekoračili zakonsko ograničenje bili su podrijetlom iz Nizozemske, Italije, Njemačke, Poljske, Mađarske, Francuske, Slovenije i Grčke. Članice EU su u kontroli proizvoda koji se upućuju na tržište EU nesukladne rezultate fipronila prijavljivale u razdoblju 2017.-2019. putem centralnog sustava brzog uzbunjivanja za hranu i hranu za životinje - RASFF. Ukupno je prijavljeno 128 različitih proizvoda s nesukladnim koncentracijama fipronila, a najviše se obavijesti odnosilo na jaja i proizvode od jaja. Pri tome je u okviru poduzetih mjera za čak 45 prijava provedeno povlačenje kontaminiranih jaja s tržišta, obavljeno je po 9 zapljena i 9 službenih pritvora. Na temelju ustvrđenih nesukladnih nalaza fipronila Europska komisija je prema Provedbenoj Uredbi Komisije (EU) 2019/533 uvrstila njegovu kontrolu u okviru koordiniranog višegodišnjeg programa kontrole EU za razdoblje 2020.-2022.Fipronil is a broad-spectrum insecticide that belongs to the phenylpyrazole group. It is an insecticide that acts by targeting the GABA (gamma aminobutyric acid) receptor and has favourable selective toxicity to insects rather than mammals. Pursuant to Regulation (EC) No. 1107/2009, fipronil is not authorized in plant protection products and it is forbidden to treat animals intended for human consumption in the European Union (EU). The maximum permitted residue level (MRL) of fipronil is 0.005 mg/ kg for eggs and poultry, as established under Regulation 396/2005 on maximum levels of pesticide residues in and on food and feed of plant and animal origin. The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified fipronil as a mildly dangerous class II pesticide. Consuming small amounts of fipronil causes nausea, headache, vomiting, stomach pain, weakness and dizziness. After absorption in humans, it is distributed into tissues and releases active metabolites that accumulate mainly in adipose tissue. Experiments in mice have shown that prolonged exposure to high doses of fipronil causes thyroid cancer in males and females. The occurrence of fipronil in eggs in the EU was reported in Belgium in 2016. As a consequence of the identified misuse of fipronil found on chicken farms, EU Member States and the European Commission have agreed to carry out ad-hoc monitoring of fipronil insecticides and other acaricides in eggs and poultry meat. In a monitoring report published by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), 742 samples (13.6%) of a total of 5439 eggs and poultry samples in EU Member States and Iceland exceeded the legal limits. Most inconsistent results were related to fipronil in chicken eggs and fat of laying hens. No non-compliant results were found in samples from the Republic of Croatia. Samples exceeding the legal limit originated from the Netherlands, Italy, Germany, Poland, Hungary, France, Slovenia and Greece. EU Member States reported non-compliant fipronil results in the control of products marketed in the EU during 2017-2019 via the Central Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF). In total, 128 different products with non-compliant fipronil concentrations were reported, with the most reports regarding eggs and egg products. In the framework of the measures taken, as many as 45 complaints were filed to withdraw contaminated eggs from the market, and nine confiscations and nine official detentions were carried out. Based on the identified non-compliant findings of fipronil, the European Commission has listed its control under Commission Coordinated Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/533 under the coordinated multi-annual EU control program for the period 2020-2022