Advice from BuRO on risk assessment of biocidal residues in food

Additional advice

At the request of BuRO, RIVM has established a prioritisation of (active) substances in biocidal products, for monitoring in meat and dairy production chains. BuRO advises to use this prioritization method for the survey, especially because it is specifically focused on the situation in the Netherlands. In addition, BuRO advises the NVWA to promote the development of analytical methods for biocidal residues in food.

BuRO advises the State Secretary for Youth, Prevention and Sport to bring the results of the survey to the attention at a European level. This information can be used in the prioritisation of (active) substances for setting maximum residue limits (MRLs). In addition, BuRO advises the State Secretary to inform the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management about this advice, because they are involved in the European evaluation of the Biocidal Products Regulation.

Background and research question

Biocides are means to control harmful or unwanted organisms. An example of biocides are disinfectants. These are used in food production chains to increase microbial safety. Residues of these substances may remain in food.

It is currently not possible to assess the food safety risks of these residues. BuRO believes that this should be investigated further and has formulated the following research question: ‘What is required for a risk assessment of biocidal residues in food?’

Answering the research question

A risk assessment of biocidal residues in food requires information on both the presence of residues in food and the potential health effects (toxicity) of these substances. Toxicity data are usually available, but for many substances in biocidal products there is little or no information on levels in food. Moreover, maximum residue limits (MRLs) have only been set for few substances in biocidal products.

There is currently a vicious circle. The measurement of the amount of residue by the NVWA and the setting of MRLs in legislation are awaiting each other. This circle can be broken by starting with a survey of a selection of active substances in widely consumed foods.

At a later stage, this survey can be expanded to include measurements in a larger group of foods and other active substances. In addition to active substances, other substance groups that may also end up in food through the use of biocidal products can also be investigated. These other substances include transformation products, co-formulants, isomers and by-products.

Data from this survey can then be used in the preparation of MRLs. These MRLs can assist in the supervision by the NVWA.