Food Safety Crisis Monitored

Thermo Fisher Scientific’s Global Food Safety Response Center in Dreieich has become involved in monitoring the dioxin crisis in Germany where animal feed additives may have been tainted with industrial fats containing the toxic chemical. It has been reported that approximately 3,000 tons of dioxin-contaminated animal feed additives were recently released for sale which resulted in more than 4,500 farms being closed.

Dioxins, a group of toxic chemicals formed during combustion processes such as waste incineration, are known to increase the likelihood of cancer after long-term exposure. European Union officials have already called for stricter regulations and more severe penalties, putting increased pressure on food manufacturers to use more sensitive detection instrumentation.

“Our scientists are actively monitoring the food safety crisis to see what role it can play in reducing the severity of the existing crisis and helping in case of future contamination,” said Vincent Paez, of the Response Centre. “In the meantime, we are making our methods for dioxin detection available through our website to anyone who needs them. Our goal is to help manufacturers and labs respond today with the necessary sensitivity and accuracy required to stay ahead of the crisis and on top of the situation as it evolves.”