Advice of the Scientific Committee of the Belgian Food Safety Agency regarding the risks of carcinogenic and or genotoxic compounds (environmental contaminants) in food

In 2008 the Scientific Committee has given an introductory advice (advice 26-2008) on 
relevant carcinogenic and/or genotoxic compounds in the diet. In a second advice (advice 09- 
2010), the Scientific Committee handled contaminants that are associated with the 
transformation processes. This third opinion focuses on the risks of environmental 
carcinogenic and/or genotoxic contaminants in food. It describes, for each contaminant 
studied, carcinogenicity and genotoxicity, toxicological reference values, exposure and risk 
characterization. The compounds studied were classified into 3 categories based on risk. 
Others effects than carcinogenicity and/or genotoxicity (e.g. endocrine disruptors) were also 
taken into account for the classification. 
Given the low MOE values for arsenic and lead, the Scientific Committee considered these 
two compounds as of high concern for food safety and as first priority to take action to reduce 
exposure. 
Benzene, cadmium, methylmercury, dioxins & dioxins like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB), 
non dioxins like PCB, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and toxaphene are classified 
as priority 2 (medium concern). Nitro-PAH, 2-nitroanisole, polybrominated biphenyls, 
chlordane, heptachlor, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and metabolites, 
hexachlorobenzene, hexachlorocyclohexane (lindane included), polychlorophenols and their 
salts are classified as priority 3 (low concern). 
In addition, the Scientific Committee has identified gaps in the scientific knowledge and 
makes recommendations for research and for the control of the contaminants. 
The Scientific Committee considers that a distinction must be made firstly, between the 
overall ranking of environmental contaminants according to the priority and, secondly, the 
specific recommendations for certain products and compounds that are globally not the first 
priority, but whose certainly needed further analyzes.