Environmental Health in Israel | 2014

in Israel. The joint survey in 2013 by the National Food Service and MoAg found high levels of dioxins in sampled eggs at 2.2 times the maximum permitted level. In the wake of these findings, additional testing, and an assessment of health risks, the MoH decided to halt the marketing of eggs from four suspected chicken farms. In addition, it was decided to expand the testing of eggs, as well as testing of animal feed from various farms. The annual plan of the National Food Service also includes an additional survey of dioxins in all animal food products, using Chemical Activated Luciferase Gene Expression Assays. The MoAg and the National Food Service at the MoH are currently examining the sources of dioxin contamination in food by testing samples across the food chain. The results of the study are likely to indicate those points along the production chain that can be improved in order to reduce the levels of dioxins and PCBs in food. In the annual survey published by the Veterinary Services for 2011–2012, animal products from eight types of animals were tested for chemical food contaminant residues. Of the samples tested, 11 (1.8%) contained cadmium (in liver) above the maximum permitted level. Higher- than-permitted levels of aflatoxins were found in 25 (4.3%) of the 573 milk samples tested. The survey did not find levels of PCBs, lead, or mercury above the maximum permitted level in any of the tested samples. Results on arsenic levels were not reported. Pollutants were found in some of the samples: lead in milk products (3%); mercury in fish (58%); and cadmium in chicken liver (46%). Hormones, including diethylstilbestrone, estradione, estradiol, and progesterone were tested in various samples of fish, poultry, and milk and none were detected in any of the samples. Pharmaceuticals were detected at above the permitted residue levels in more than 2% of samples for: tetracycline in sheep (6/230), ionophores in chicken (7/240), nicarbazin in chicken (8/300), sulfonamides in turkey (3/142), clopidol in eggs (54/300), ionophores in eggs (54/274), and tetracycline in eggs (5/170). In general, pharmaceutical compounds were detected at levels below the maximum permitted. Levels above the maximum permitted were detected in fewer than 1% of samples. The National Food Service conducts ongoing monitoring of mycotoxins in food sold in Israel, in accordance with an annual plan and via the health bureaus of the MoH. Between the years 2008–2012, over 1,600 samples were analyzed so as to identify and quantify aflatoxins and ochratoxin A. It should be emphasized that the samples were collected from food that was defined as potentially containing mycotoxins (spices, legumes, cereals, nuts, and milk). In general, excessive levels of mycotoxins were found primarily in spices, especially in paprika. A re-evaluation is currently underway on lowering the maximum permitted levels for some mycotoxins and for defining maximum permitted levels for additional mycotoxins and additional categories of food. - 49 - Chemical Food Contaminants