| Author (Corporate) | Cardiff EDC (Compiler) |
|---|---|
| Publication Date | 2017 |
| Content Type | News |
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Summary: Reports and information on a scandal involving the detection of high quantities of the poisonous insecticide Fipronil in eggs, which led to million of consumers across Europe being warned in August 2017 against the consumption of specific batches of eggs. Further information: Fipronil is an insecticide used against lice, ticks and fleas. For the World Health Organisation (WHO), fipronil is 'moderately toxic' but in high concentrations, it could have dangerous effects on kidney, liver and thyroid gland function. The warning was sent in mid-2017 after it was made public that a pest controller in the Netherlands had been using Fipronil at poultry companies for a year. Millions of eggs were recalled in Germany and across the Benelux region. Around 130 poultry farms were shut in the Netherlands 'due to the presence of the suspect substance fipronil' which had been found in samples taken from 'eggs, droppings and meat', according to the Dutch food safety agency NWVA. This structure came under fire for the way it had handled the situation. On 11 August, the European Commission noted that the list of affected countries stood at 15 EU Member States, together with Switzerland and Hog Kong. On 26 September, the Commission held a meeting on how to improve EU alert systems, bringing together national health ministers and food safety agencies. |
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| Subject Categories | Business and Industry |
| Subject Tags | Chemicals, Consumer Rights | Protection, Food | Drinks |
| Keywords | Pesticides, Poultry | Eggs, Product Safety |
