Germany recalls 268,000 eggs in latest dioxin scare

Nearly 268,000 eggs are being recalled in Germany, after an in-house test at a farm in Lower Saxony revealed high levels of the poisonous chemical dioxin.

The eggs originated from a farm in the Emsland area in the north German state of Lower Saxony and were distributed to seven states in the country. After the detection of excessive levels of the chemical, the 12,000-head chicken farm has been quarantined.

German authorities are currently searching for the source of contamination by testing animal feed, samples from the animals and other material at the farm, and are also planning to check the areas surrounding the farm.

According to the state agriculture ministry, there is no risk to the public from the contaminated eggs as dioxin is only dangerous if consumed over a long period of time.

This is the latest in a row of dioxin contamination scares to hit the country, following similar discoveries in April and May 2012.

In January 2011, an EU-wide health alert was issued after German officials announced that dioxin-tainted animal feed was fed to hens and pigs, contaminating eggs, poultry meat and pork.

To ensure food safety, hundreds of farms have been closed, thousands of animals culled and a number of measures have been rolled out, including increased inspections of farms and feed, along with restrictions on animal feed ingredients.

Natasha Manski, Lower Saxony spokesperson, told FoodQualityNews.com that the latest dioxin contamination has been identified as a result of the measures introduced after the 2011 scare.

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Image: The latest dioxin scare is the third in a row to hit Germany, after similar discoveries were made in 2012. Photo courtesy of: Claudio Jule.