Design of a generic model based on physiology for persistent organic pollutants in laying hens: Applications on chlordecone and chlorinated paraffins.

A Physiology Based Pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model has been developed to predict the kinetics of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) in laying hens. Different datasets have enabled the calibration of the model for chlordecone (CLD), an organochlorine pesticide used in the French West Indies between 1972 and 1993, as well as for chlorinated paraffins (CPs), widely used for various industrial applications worldwide. For this purpose, the sensitivity analysis showed that intake parameters, laying rate, partition coefficients of yolk, hepatic clearance, percentage of metabolism and age were key parameters. Applied to CLD and CPs, this model shows a good capacity for prediction, with 88 % of the experimental values ranging within 1.5-fold of the predicted value at steady state for CPs and 100 % for CLD. The fine modelling of the physiology and the laying process contributes to precision of the model and gives genericity, enabling the switch from one bird species to another. The model can be implemented with other POPs if the clearance and partition coefficient are known.

Development, validation, and implementation of an ultratrace analysis method for the determination of moenomycin A, in aquatic animal products.

Moenomycin A, an antimicrobial growth promoter widely used as an additive in aquaculture feedstuffs, has been restricted for use in the European Union and China due to its potential risk of promoting resistant strains of pathogenic bacteria and causing residues in aquatic animal products. Although methods for analyzing moenomycin A in feedstuffs have been developed, no established method exists for aquatic matrices. In this study, we present, for the first time, a sensitive and validated high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) method for the determination of moenomycin A in aquatic animal products. Samples were extracted using methanol and purified with the QuEChERS method employing C18 sorbent. The aliquot was dried under a nitrogen stream, reconstituted with methanol-water solvent, and analyzed by HPLC-MS/MS. The developed method exhibited good linearity (r2 > 0.995) over a wide concentration range (1-100 µg/L) and a low limit of detection (1 µg/kg). Average recoveries ranged between 70 and 110% at spiked concentrations of 1, 50, and 100 µg/kg, with associated intra- and inter-day relative standard deviations of 1.25 to 7.32% (n = 6) and 2.91 to 10.08% (n = 3), for different representative aquatic animal production, respectively. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported HPLC-MS/MS method for the quantification of moenomycin A in aquatic animal products. The new approach was effectively employed in the analysis of moenomycin A across various aquatic samples.

Product level dataset on embodied human appropriation of net primary production.

This dataset includes data on the embodied human appropriation of net primary production (eHANPP) associated with products derived from agriculture and forestry. The human appropriation of net primary production (HANPP) is an indicator of changes in the yearly availability of biomass energy from photosynthesis that remains available in terrestrial ecosystems after harvest, under current land use, compared to the net primary production of the potential natural vegetation. HANPP is an indicator of land-use intensity that is relevant for biodiversity and biogeochemical cycles. The eHANPP indicator allocates HANPP to products and allows tracing trade flows from origin (the country where production takes place) to consumption (the country where products are consumed), thereby underpinning research into the telecouplings in global land use. The datasets described in this article trace eHANPP associated with the bilateral trade flows between 222 countries. It covers 161 primary crops, 13 primary animal products and 4 primary forestry products, as well as the end uses of these products for the years 1986 to 2013.

Are Physicians Obligated to Recommend a Plant-Based Diet? A Response to Maximilian Storz.

Maximilian Storz argues that physicians have an ethical obligation to recommend a plant-based diet to patients because such a diet: relieves certain chronic conditions, outperforms the Western diet (e.g. a diet containing animal products, among other things), and is ecologically sustainable. Contrary to these claims, I argue that a plant-based diet alone may not relieve chronic conditions, but potentially does so in combination with other lifestyle factors. With respect to the environment, I illuminate the landscape by discussing agricultural factors consistent across animal and plant farming such as energy and water. I conclude that physicians ought to recommend a diet that follows the science; such a diet as I have claimed is exclusionary: it excludes processed foods, especially added sugars. Lifestylfe factors also deserve to be discussed in the medical encounter as their incorporation may lead to even better health outcomes.

Effect of Consumption of Animal Products on the Gut Microbiome Composition and Gut Health.

The gut microbiome is critical in human health, and various dietary factors influence its composition and function. Among these factors, animal products, such as meat, dairy, and eggs, represent crucial sources of essential nutrients for the gut microbiome. However, the correlation and characteristics of livestock consumption with the gut microbiome remain poorly understood. This review aimed to delineate the distinct effects of meat, dairy, and egg products on gut microbiome composition and function. Based on the previous reports, the impact of red meat, white meat, and processed meat consumption on the gut microbiome differs from that of milk, yogurt, cheese, or egg products. In particular, we have focused on animal-originated proteins, a significant nutrient in each livestock product, and revealed that the major proteins in each food elicit diverse effects on the gut microbiome. Collectively, this review highlights the need for further insights into the interactions and mechanisms underlying the impact of animal products on the gut microbiome. A deeper understanding of these interactions would be beneficial in elucidating the development of dietary interventions to prevent and treat diseases linked to the gut microbiome.

Polar pesticides in food of animal origin: interlaboratory validation to evaluate method fitness-for-purpose of official control.

The present work reports on the design, execution and evaluation of results of an interlaboratory validation study aimed at verifying the fitness-for-purpose of a LC-MS/MS method for the detection of polar pesticides in food of animal origin in official control and monitoring programmes. To this scope, five participant laboratories, with relevant expertise, were recruited. After passing a pre-trial test, the participants were asked to analyse test samples of bovine fat, chicken eggs and cow's milk, contaminated with 11 polar pesticides (group A: Aminomethyl phosphonic acid (AMPA), cyanuric acid, ethephon, glyphosate, fosetyl aluminium, 2-hydroxyethyphosphonic acid (HEPA), maleic hydrazide, N-acetyl-glyphosate, group B: N-acetyl glufosinate (NAG), 3-methylphosphinicopropionic acid (MPP) and glufosinate ammonium) at two different levels (0.05 and 0.25 mg/kg-1 and 0.01 and 0.05 mg/kg-1 for group A and B respectively. The method was based on acidified methanol/water extraction followed by dSPE clean up with C18 sorbent. For LC-MS/MS analysis isotopically labelled standards were used for all targeted analytes. With a couple of exceptions, average recoveries ranged from 85% to 110%, with repeatability (RSDr) ranging from 3% to 25%, and reproducibility (RSDR) from 4% to 26%. The assessment by different laboratories provided also insights on key factors impacting method performance characteristics and its implementation by new users.

Mitigation of heat stress effects on laying hens' performances, egg quality, and some blood parameters by adding dietary zinc-enriched yeasts, parsley, and their combination.

Objective: Finding natural, handy and efficient nutritional solutions to prevent and mitigate negative effects caused by environmental heat stress and to be applied to large-scale laying hen industry. Research design: A 3-weeks trial was conducted on 128 laying hens TETRA-SL LL (50 weeks of age) housed in 8 cages/group, 4 laying hens/cage, 32 laying hens/group, under heat stress conditions (34±1°C). The basal diet on corn and soybean meal was formulated to be isocaloric and isonitrogenic. Compared to Control group diet (C), experimental groups E1 included 1% zinc-enriched yeast; E2 included 2% parsley and E3 included 1% zinc-enriched yeast combined with 2% parsley to minimize the heat stress effects. Methods: The parsley and the zinc-enriched yeast were analysed for their chemical composition, total polyphenols, antioxidant capacity, minerals, vitamin E and incorporated into the ration structure. Production parameters, egg quality, biochemical and haematological profiles of blood samples were analysed during the trial. Results: A statistically significant (p < 0.05) average egg weight was noticed on E2 and E3 compared to Control group, and also during the 1st week compared to the 2nd and the 3rd experimental weeks. Average daily feed intake values were highly significant (p < 0.001) on E3 group compared to C, E1, E2, and on the 2nd week compared to the 3rd experimental week (p < 0.021). Feed conversion rate was highly significant (p < 0.001) during the 2nd and the 3rd experimental weeks compared to the 1st week. The average daily egg production was highly significant (p < 0.001) within 1st week compared to the 2nd and 3rd weeks. A highly significant (p < 0.001) yolk coloration was noticed on E2 and E3 groups. The malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration decreased significantly (p < 0.05) to all experimental groups compared to Control group during the 14th and 28th days of storage. Conclusion: These findings suggest that the two ingredients minimized the heat stress effects on production performance parameters with a demonstrated antioxidant capacity role by delaying the lipid peroxidation during different storage time periods.

Effect of lipid oxidation on quality attributes and control technologies in dried aquatic animal products: a critical review.

Aquatic animals are viewed as a good source of healthy lipids. Although drying is an effective method for the preservation of aquatic animal products (AAPs), the whole process is accompanied by lipid oxidation. This article reviews the main mechanism of lipid oxidation in the drying process. It also summarizes the effects of lipid oxidation on the quality of dried aquatic animal products (DAAPs), including nutrients, color, flavor, and hazard components, especially for those harmful aldehydes and heterocyclic amines. In addition, it concluded that moderate lipid oxidation contributes to improving the quality of products. Still, excessive lipid oxidation produces hazardous substances and induces health risks. Hence, to obtain high-quality DAAPs, some effective control technologies to promote/prevent lipid oxidation are introduced and deeply discussed, including salting, high-pressure processing, irradiation, non-thermal plasma technology, defatting treatments, antioxidants, and edible coating. A systematic review of the effect of lipid oxidation on quality attributes and control technologies in DAAPs is presented, and some perspectives are made for future research.

Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of Propionic Acid, Sorbic Acid, and Benzoic Acid against Food Spoilage Microorganisms in Animal Products to Use MIC as Threshold for Natural Preservative Production.

Some preservatives are naturally contained in raw food materials, while in some cases may have been introduced in food by careless handling or fermentation. However, it is difficult to distinguish between intentionally added preservatives and the preservatives naturally produced in food. The objective of this study was to evaluate the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of propionic acid, sorbic acid, and benzoic acid for inhibiting food spoilage microorganisms in animal products, which can be useful in determining if the preservatives are natural or not. The broth microdilution method was used to determine the MIC of preservatives for 57 microorganisms. Five bacteria that were the most sensitive to propionic acid, benzoic acid, and sorbic acid were inoculated in unprocessed and processed animal products. A hundred microliters of the preservatives were then spiked in samples. After storage, the cells were counted to determine the MIC of the preservatives. The MIC of the preservatives in animal products ranged from 100 to 1,500 ppm for propionic acid, from 100 to >1,500 ppm for benzoic acid, and from 100 to >1,200 ppm for sorbic acid. Thus, if the concentrations of preservatives are below the MIC, the preservatives may not be added intentionally. Therefore, the MIC result will be useful in determining if preservatives are added intentionally in food.

A qualitative peptide biomarker approach to identify piscine gelatine in products to support food security.

Due to allergy concerns, it is mandatory under EU law to declare in food products all ingredients derived from fish. Gelatine is prepared from the waste collagen of animal carcasses, including piscine, bovine and porcine materials, and is an ingredient in a wide range of foods. The Elliott Review into the integrity and assurance of food supply networks highlighted requirements for analytical surveillance methods to support due diligence, food safety and authenticity. We present the development of a method to extract gelatine from foods and determine the presence of piscine gelatine by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry using a suite of sixteen piscine marker peptides. The method has been successfully applied to gelatine granules, capsules and composite retail food products. While a study is required to determine parameters including the limit of detection of this method, the data indicate the method is reproducible between replicates of sub-samples and applies to a range of piscine gelatines collected over 16 years. Once validation studies are complete, there is potential for enforcement officers to apply the technology to verify the authenticity of fish products to support consumers in ensuring food safety and also food provenance relating to animal origin.

Food consumption patterns in employees of Ethiopian institute of agricultural research.

In developing countries, including Ethiopia, diet-related non-communicable diseases are prevalent among the working population. Understanding this active group's dietary diversity and food consumption patterns is essential to devise alternative solutions and recommend possible improvements. This study investigates the food consumption patterns of employees of the Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research. A cross-sectional survey was conducted from January 1 to March 31, 2022, involving 13 different research centers of the institute situated in different agro-ecological regions of the country. A validated food frequency questionnaire and a 24-h food recall were administered to a total sample size of 355 employees. A systematic random sampling was used for data collection. Stata survey commands version 16.0 and multiple logistic regression were used to analyze the data. The research confirmed that socio-demographic determinants, income, and educational level affect the food consumption patterns of employees. The majority of employees have low consumption of foods like fish, fruits, vegetables, and animal products. Consumption of all kinds of animal products was very low on Wednesday and Friday. This result will help employees to give more attention to low-cost healthier food items, as well as institutional management bodies in designing awareness-creation campaigns and government programs to encourage the production and access of nutritious food.

Development of a lateral flow dipstick test for the detection of 4 strains of Salmonella spp. in animal products and animal production environmental samples based on loop-mediated isothermal amplification.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to develop loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) combined with lateral flow dipstick (LFD) and compare it with LAMP-AGE, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and standard Salmonella culture as reference methods for detecting Salmonella contamination in animal products and animal production environmental samples. METHODS: The SalInvA01 primer, derived from the InvA gene and designed as a new probe for LFD detection, was used in developing this study. Adjusting for optimal conditions by temperature, time, and reagent concentration includes evaluating the specificity and limit of detection. The sampling of 120 animal product samples and 350 animal production environmental samples was determined by LAMP-LFD, comparing LAMP-AGE, PCR, and the culture method. RESULTS: Salmonella was amplified using optimal conditions for the LAMP reaction and a DNA probe for LFD at 63°C for 60 minutes. The specificity test revealed no cross-reactivity with other microorganisms. The limit of detection of LAMP-LFD in pure culture was 3×102 CFU/mL (6 CFU/reaction) and 9.01 pg/µL in genomic DNA. The limit of detection of the LAMP-LFD using artificially inoculated in minced chicken samples with 5 hours of pre-enrichment was 3.4×104 CFU/mL (680 CFU/reaction). For 120 animal product samples, Salmonella was detected by the culture method, LAMP-LFD, LAMP-AGE, and PCR in 10/120 (8.3%). In three hundred fifty animal production environmental samples, Salmonella was detected in 91/350 (26%) by the culture method, equivalent to the detection rates of LAMP-LFD and LAMP-AGE, while PCR achieved 86/350 (24.6%). When comparing sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and accuracy, LAMP-LFD showed the best results at 100%, 95.7%, 86.3%, and 96.6%, respectively. For Kappa index of LAMP-LFD, indicated nearly perfect agreement with culture method. CONCLUSION: The LAMP-LFD Salmonella detection, which used InvA gene, was highly specific, sensitive, and convenient for identifying Salmonella. Furthermore, this method could be used for Salmonella monitoring and primary screening in animal products and animal production environmental samples.

Study on the current research trends and future agenda in animal products: an Asian perspective.

This study aimed to analyze the leading research materials and research trends related to livestock food in Asia in recent years and propose future research agendas to ultimately contribute to the development of related livestock species. On analyzing more than 200 relevant articles, a high frequency of studies on livestock species and products with large breeding scales and vast markets was observed. Asia possesses the largest pig population and most extensive pork market, followed by that of beef, chicken, and milk; moreover, blood and egg markets have also been studied. Regarding research keywords, "meat quality" and "probiotics" were the most common, followed by "antioxidants", which have been extensively studied in the past, and "cultured meat", which has recently gained traction. The future research agenda for meat products is expected to be dominated by alternative livestock products, such as cultured and plant-derived meats; improved meat product functionality and safety; the environmental impacts of livestock farming; and animal welfare research. The future research agenda for dairy products is anticipated to include animal welfare, dairy production, probiotic-based development of high-quality functional dairy products, the development of alternative dairy products, and the advancement of lactose-free or personalized dairy products. However, determining the extent to which the various research articles' findings have been applied in real-world industry proved challenging, and research related to animal food laws and policies and consumer surveys was lacking. In addition, studies on alternatives for sustainable livestock development could not be identified. Therefore, future research may augment industrial application, and multidisciplinary research related to animal food laws and policies as well as eco-friendly livestock production should be strengthened.

Legumes: A Vehicle for Transition to Sustainability.

Legumes are an excellent source of protein and have been used in the human diet for centuries. Consumption of legumes has been linked to several health benefits, including a lower risk of cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and certain types of cancer, while legumes' high fiber content promotes digestive health. Aside from the positive health benefits, one of the most significant advantages of legumes is the low environmental footprint of their cultivation. They can be grown in a variety of climates and soil types, and they require less water and fertilizer than other crops, making them a sustainable option for farmers. Thanks to their nutritional and physicochemical properties, they are widely used by the food industry since the growing popularity of plant-based diets and the increasing demand for alternatives to meat offers the opportunity to develop legume-based meat substitutes. As the use of legumes as a source of protein becomes widespread, new market opportunities could be created for farmers and food industries, while the reduction in healthcare costs could have a potential economic impact. Achieving widespread adoption of legumes as a sustainable source of protein requires coordinated efforts by individuals, governments, and the private sector. The objective of this narrative review is to present the benefits coming from legume consumption in terms of health and environmental sustainability, and underline the importance of promoting their inclusion in the daily dietary pattern as well as their use as functional ingredients and plant-based alternatives to animal products.

Dietary Ruminant and Industrial Trans-Fatty Acids Intake and Colorectal Cancer Risk.

As colorectal cancer (CRC) is largely due to modifiable lifestyle habits, the awareness on its risk factors is highly important. Dietary fatty acids have been linked to CRC risk. We explored the association between dietary trans fatty acids (TFAs) intake and CRC risk. We analyzed 865 CRC cases (434 in colon and 404 in rectum) and 3206 controls of the IROPICAN study, with data collected by trained interviewers using validated questionnaires. TFAs intake (industrial and ruminant types) was categorized into quartiles. Multivariate logistic regression models were built to calculate the odds ratios (OR) for the association between CRC and TFAs. We observed a positive association between industrial TFAs and colon cancer (OR for highest vs lowest quartile [ORQ4vsQ1] = 1.28, 95% confidence interval 1.07-1.54). A higher association was observed between industrial TFAs and CRC, occurring after 50 years of age. In addition, elaidic acid was associated with an increased risk of colon (ORQ4vsQ1 = 1.58, 1.24-2.02) and specifically of proximal colon cancer (OR Q4vsQ1 = 2.12, 1.40-3.20), as well as of rectum cancer (ORQ4vsQ1 = 1.40, 1.07-1.83). An inverse association was observed between ruminant TFAs intake and colon cancer risk (ORQ4vsQ1 = 0.80, 0.67-0.97). Industrial TFAs, such as semisolid/solid hydrogenated oils, may increase the risk of CRC, especially colon and proximal colon cancer. In contrast, ruminant TFAs do not appear to be associated with CRC. Awareness programs and regulatory actions regarding hydrogenated oils are warranted, given their high consumption through ultra-processed foods in more developed and less developed countries.

Rapid risk assessment tool (RRAT) to prioritize emerging and re-emerging livestock diseases for risk management.

Increasing globalization and international trade contribute to rapid expansion of animal and human diseases. Hence, preparedness is warranted to prevent outbreaks of emerging and re-emerging diseases or detect outbreaks in an early stage. We developed a rapid risk assessment tool (RRAT) to inform risk managers on the incursion risk of multiple livestock diseases, about the main sources for incursion and the change of risk over time. RRAT was built as a relational database to link data on disease outbreaks worldwide, on introduction routes and on disease-specific parameters. The tool was parameterized to assess the incursion risk of 10 livestock diseases for the Netherlands by three introduction routes: legal trade in live animals, legal trade of animal products, and animal products illegally carried by air travelers. RRAT calculates a semi-quantitative risk score for the incursion risk of each disease, the results of which allow for prioritization. Results based on the years 2016-2018 indicated that the legal introduction routes had the highest incursion risk for bovine tuberculosis, whereas the illegal route posed the highest risk for classical swine fever. The overall incursion risk via the illegal route was lower than via the legal routes. The incursion risk of African swine fever increased over the period considered, whereas the risk of equine infectious anemia decreased. The variation in the incursion risk over time illustrates the need to update the risk estimates on a regular basis. RRAT has been designed such that the risk assessment can be automatically updated when new data becomes available. For diseases with high-risk scores, model results can be analyzed in more detail to see which countries and trade flows contribute most to the risk, the results of which can be used to design risk-based surveillance. RRAT thus provides a multitude of information to evaluate the incursion risk of livestock diseases at different levels of detail. To give risk managers access to all results of RRAT, an online visualization tool was built.

Assessment of the control measures of the Category A diseases of the Animal Health Law: prohibitions in restricted zones and risk-mitigating treatments for products of animal origin and other materials.

EFSA received a mandate from the European Commission to assess the effectiveness of prohibitions of certain activities in restricted zones, and of certain risk mitigation treatments for products of animal origin and other materials with respect to diseases included in the Category A list in the Animal Health Law (Regulation (EU) 2016/429). This opinion belongs to a series of opinions where other disease-specific control measures have been assessed. In this opinion, EFSA and the AHAW Panel of experts review the effectiveness of (i) prohibiting the movements of certain products, notably germinal products (semen, oocytes, embryos and hatching eggs), products of animal origin and animal by-products and feed of plant origin, hay and straw, and (ii) risk mitigation treatments for products of animal origin. In terms of semen, oocytes, embryos and hatching eggs, it was agreed that there was a lack of evidence particularly for embryos and oocytes reflected in a varying degree of uncertainty, whether these commodities could potentially contain the pathogen under consideration. The scenario assessed did not consider whether the presence of pathogen would lead to infection in the recipient animal. In terms of animal products, certain animal by-products and movement of feed of plant origin and straw, the assessment considered the ability of the commodity to transmit disease to another animal if exposed. For most pathogens, products were to some degree considered a risk, but lack of field evidence contributed to the uncertainty, particularly as potential exposure of ruminants to meat products is concerned. In terms of the risk mitigating treatments, recommendations have been made for several of these treatments, because the treatment description is not complete, the evidence is poor or inconclusive, or the evidence points to the treatment being ineffective.

Residues of Veterinary Drugs in Animal Products Commercialized in the Border Region of Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay.

ABSTRACT: The traffic in international animal products can become a public health hazard when legal import sanitary procedures are not followed. In Brazil, due to its extensive border area, the importation of animal products is a common practice in many areas, especially in Rio Grande do Sul, a state that borders Argentina and Uruguay. The objective of this study was to evaluate the presence of veterinary drug residues (antibiotics and antiparasitics) in animal products consumed in Rio Grande do Sul. The presence of residues of veterinary antibiotics and antiparasitics was assessed in 189 meat (beef, pork, and chicken), processed dairy, and meat product samples bought in Argentina (n = 90) and Uruguay (n = 99). Residues of these veterinary drugs were detected in 50 (26.45%) of the samples; 28 samples (14.81%) had antibiotic residues, and 22 samples (11.64%) had antiparasitic residues. Of the 50 positive samples, 40% (15 from Argentina and 5 from Uruguay) had residues above the maximum residue limits (MRLs). Of these 20 samples, 12 had antiparasitic residues above the MRLs (11 beef samples had ivermectin and 1 pork sample had ivermectin and doramectin) and 8 had antibiotic residues above the MRLs (2 pork and 2 sausage samples had doxycycline, 2 cheese samples had doxycycline and chlortetracycline, 1 poultry meat sample had chloramphenicol, and 1 cheese sample had monensin). Because of the potential toxic effects on humans and the potential for pathogens to develop antibiotic resistance, the presence of these residues above the MRLs is a potential risk to public health. The negative impact of consumption of imported animal products can be reduced by implementation of an effective surveillance system and educational campaigns for the general population.

Brominated and chlorinated contaminants in food (PCDD/Fs, PCBs, PBDD/Fs PBDEs): Simultaneous determination and occurrence in Italian produce.

Validated methodology for the simultaneous determination of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polybrominated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PBDD/Fs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in foods of animal origin is presented. Method performance indicators were equivalent or better than those required for the control of EU regulated (EU, 2017/644) PCDD/F and PCB congeners in these foods, and for risk assessment through dietary intake. The method uses a high (>90%) proportion of 13Carbon-labelled surrogates for internal standardisation combined with high resolution mass spectrometry that allow accurate quantitation, and this was confirmed by multiple successful participations in proficiency testing for PCDD/Fs, PCBs and PBDEs in food. The same validation and method performance requirements as used for PCDD/Fs were followed for PBDD/Fs. The analysis of a range of food samples (eggs, milk, fish, shellfish, pork, beef and poultry), showed the occurrence of all four classes of contaminants at varying concentration ranges. In general, PCBs were the most prominent contaminant, both, in terms of dioxin-like toxicity, as well as in the occurrence of non-dioxin-like congeners, an observation that concurs with those made in other studies on Italian foods. The levels of PCDD/F and PCB occurrence are consistent with a gradual decline in contamination as reported by some other similar studies. Although all the determined contaminants were detected in the sampled foods, there was poor correlation between the occurrences of the brominated and chlorinated contaminants, and between PBDEs and PBDD/Fs, but better associations were observed between the occurrences of the chlorinated contaminants.