Update of the risk assessment on emerging and novel brominated flame retardants in food

The European Commission asked EFSA to update its 2012 risk assessment on Emerging and Novel brominated flame retardants (BFRs) in food. Since the previous Opinion, further information was collected for a total of 27 BFRs. The CONTAM Panel concluded that TDBPP, DBPNG and TBNPA are considered genotoxic and carcinogenic. Based on positive in vitro mutagenicity in mammalian cells, DBE-DBCH is considered genotoxic. EBTEBPI, DBDPE, PBB-Acr and TTBP-TAZ are not genotoxic. Insufficient or absent data precluded the Panel to conclude on the genotoxic potential of the remaining BFRs. Reproductive/developmental toxicity and/or neurotoxicity/neurodevelopmental effects were reported for DBNPG, BEH-TEBP, EH-TBB, DBDPE and TDBP-TAZTO. Reference Points were identified for TDBPP, DBNPG, BEH-TEBP, EH-TBB, DBDPE and TDBP-TAZTO. No health-based guidance values could be derived for any of the BFRs. Occurrence data were submitted to EFSA for eight BFRs (BEH-TEBP, EH-TBB, BTBPE, DBDPE, HBB, PBEB, PBT, TBX). Dietary exposure could be estimated only for BTBPE and HBB, due to the lack of quantitative data for the other BFRs. However, no risk characterisation could be performed for these BFRs due to the lack of a Reference Point. Using the limited available information on dietary exposure estimates reported in the scientific literature, risk characterisation could be performed for BEH-TEBP, EH-TBB and DBDPE, and the CONTAM Panel concluded that dietary exposure does not raise a health concern. The Panel considered that the level of certainty was 90% or higher for most of the reported conclusions. Very limited or no information on hazard or exposure were available for HBCYD, TBCO, DBHCTD, HCTBPH, BDBP-TAZTO, DBP-TAZTO, OBTMPI, DBS, HEEHP-TEBP, 4'-PeBPO-BDE208 or TTBNPP. Recommendations were formulated to address data gaps, including the need for access to original data, and for the collection of biomonitoring data, occurrence data in food, genotoxicity information and toxicological studies to support the identification of a Reference Point.