Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental Medicine
In an EFSA-funded project SCREENER (Screening for emerging chemical risks in the food chain; OC/EFSA/SCER/2020/02), researchers from the Wageningen Food Safety Research institute (project lead), the University of Chemistry and Technology in Prague and Fraunhofer ITEM searched for new emerging chemical risk in food. In two previous projects, 212 industrial chemicals registered under REACH were already prioritized. For these substances, qualitative methods have been developed. Diverse food items such as wheat flour, kale, carrots, etc., were sampled in four European countries. A total of 194 analytical samples were screened for the presence of the chemicals in the suspect list.
Finally, 15 chemicals detected qualitatively were selected for identification and quantitative analysis. After developing the corresponding quantitative methods, the researchers analyzed the 194 samples and subsequently conducted hazard characterization, exposure assessment and risk characterization. A preliminary assessment of the potential risk posed by the chemicals detected in the samples indicated that, in almost all cases, there is no risk to human health. However, three exceptions were identified where uncertainties remain. These require further analysis to make a sound risk assessment.
