Investigations conducted by the canton of St Gallen have revealed high levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in samples of beef meat. Agroscope is studying the transfer of these ‘forever chemicals’ in ruminants, thereby contributing to ensuring the meat and milk safety.
Persistent organic pollutants such as PFAS or dioxins are ubiquitous in the environment and may accumulate in animal products. Since they can be harmful to human health, the Confederation has established maximum levels for foods of animal origin. The Canton of St Gallen recently detected that certain areas were contaminated with PFAS and that meat from cattle reared in these areas sometimes exceeded regulatory maximum levels.
In collaboration with Empa (the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology) and mandated by the federal and cantonal services responsible for food safety, Agroscope is conducting a series of research projects on forever chemicals, including the study on how persistent organic pollutants, including PFAS, are ingested and then absorbed by ruminants and how they are accumulated and eliminated in milk and meat. This enable rearing strategies to be developed in order to limit the livestock’s exposure to pollutants and decontaminate herds in polluted areas.
Agroscope is currently working with the canton of St Gallen and other national and international institutions to explore the potential of new research projects aimed at determining the exposure and transfer pathways for PFAS in ruminants. These new findings will support federal and cantonal services to assess and manage the risks of on-farm contamination of livestock.
