1. What is fipronil ?
Fipronil is an insecticide applied when controlling lice, mites and other invertebrate parasites on domestic animals. The substance can be allowed in the food chain as a plant protection product.
2. Why is there now a problem with fipronil ?
Fipronil is an insecticide that is not approved for use in animals intended for the food chain. Therefore, effects in the food chain and public health effects are not sufficiently documented. It now appears that fipronil was used in the poultry sector when controlling red mites in laying hens. Using the product in this context is not allowed and consequently there were no routine investigations concerning this substance.
3. Which standards are used ?
For eggs, a first limit of 0.005 mg/kg is determined. This is the so called MRL. As fipronil is not allowed in poultry, this is the limit for withdrawing eggs from the market. In addition, a risk value of 0.73 mg/kg is determined. A European risk assessment indicates a possible health risk when this value is exceeded. Because of this, eggs containing fipronil are being recalled from consumers.
4. Anyway why are eggs now being recalled from consumers ?
Some analyses which have been carried out in the beginning, appear to have a much larger measurement uncertainty than expected. In other words, doubts have arisen concerning the reliability of the analysis result. Consequently, the precautionary principle is being applied and it is better that the eggs in question are no longer consumed.
5. What kind of batches of eggs are subjected to a recall ?
The batches of eggs with the following batch numbers : see document on the website.
6. Is it still safe to eat other eggs than these ?
All suspected poultry businesses in Belgium are blocked, they were inspected and samples were taken. It is only after compliant results of the analyses that the establishments will be released. Eggs which are now on the market are safe for consumers.
7. Are products in which eggs are processed safe ?
These products are safe because in food prepared with eggs the value measured will still be lower owing to the dilution effect.
8. Why is there only a problem in eggs and not in poultry meat ?
There are no indications that fipronil was used in the sector of broiler chickens where red mites are not a problem because these broiler chickens are slaughtered at a very young age. This is confirmed by analyses the FASFC has had carried out.
