Irish Regulator Urgently Considers Testing Food for Toxic TFA

UPDATE: The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) is urgently considering testing food for the toxic ‘forever chemical’ trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) following alarming findings from the NGO Pesticide Action Network. Recent research revealed elevated levels of TFA in cereal-based foods, including bread, sold across Europe, with particularly concerning concentrations found in wheat-based breakfast cereals available in Irish supermarkets.

Authorities confirm that TFA is part of a broader class of hazardous substances known as PFAS, notorious for their persistence in the environment and ability to accumulate in the food chain and water supplies. Jennifer Murnane O’Connor, the junior health minister, stated that the FSAI is currently assessing whether “targeted national testing for TFA is practical and scientifically warranted at this time.” This review is crucial given the potential health implications for consumers.

The decision to initiate testing will hinge on laboratory capacity and the findings of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), which is working to establish a safe limit for TFA in food. Murnane O’Connor emphasized that Ireland’s approach will be guided by scientific opinions from EU regulators, ensuring that the protection of human health remains the top priority.

While initial assessments from the EFSA suggest the reported levels of TFA in some cereal-based foods do not pose a health risk to children, the draft safety limit has faced criticism from the Pesticide Action Network, which argues it is set too high. The EFSA is expected to finalize its decision regarding TFA next year, in 2024.

A dossier from the European Chemicals Agency earlier this year raised alarms about TFA’s health and environmental impacts, citing “clear evidence of developmental toxicity” in mammal studies. These studies indicated severe outcomes, including eye and skeletal malformations in rabbits and impaired liver and kidney function in developing rats.

As the FSAI deliberates on the next steps, the urgency of this matter cannot be overstated. With TFA entering the food chain primarily through pesticides and refrigerant gases, and given that wheat has been identified as particularly efficient at absorbing these harmful chemicals, immediate action is necessary to safeguard public health.

The situation is developing rapidly, and the public is advised to stay informed as testing protocols are established. As regulatory bodies work towards addressing these concerns, consumers may want to reconsider their dietary choices, particularly regarding cereal products.

This pressing issue has garnered significant attention, and further updates will be provided as the FSAI progresses in its evaluation of TFA testing in food. The health and safety of consumers remain paramount as Ireland navigates these troubling findings.