[Food products of animal origin and environment contaminants]

Environmental contaminants may reach humans via products of animal origin is obtained mainly from production animals but also from fish. Heavy metals such as lead, mercury and cadmium are present in food in minor quantities only and, in general, do not represent a serious threat to the consumer. Xenobiotics which accumulate in adipose tissue are discussed subsequently. In The Netherlands, the presence of organochlorine pesticides is not problematic anymore. HCH isomers, however, still require attention. The same applies for PCB's and dioxins in fish and in milk, respectively. Finally, some attention is paid to the way in which food of animal origin can become contaminated by certain radionuclides.