Throughout the Netherlands, home-produced eggs can contain high levels of PFAS. This is shown by new research conducted at 60 different locations. RIVM therefore advises against eating home-produced eggs. In the Netherlands, we already consume a significant amount of PFAS through other foods and partly through drinking water. The amount people ingest through home-produced eggs comes on top of that. By not eating home-produced eggs, much higher PFAS intake can be avoided. Commercial eggs from shops or markets can still be eaten.
Home-produced eggs come from chickens kept as a hobby. For example, in back gardens, vegetable gardens, animal pastures, and care or children's farms.
RIVM issues general advice for the whole of the Netherlands
RIVM calculated how much PFAS people can ingest through home-produced eggs at 60 locations across the country. These amounts were compared to the health-based guidance value for PFAS. At 31 of these locations, people already exceed this value if they eat less than one egg per week. High concentrations of PFAS were also found at many other locations. Because PFAS intake from these eggs can be high, and the amount of PFAS cannot be seen from the outside of an egg, RIVM gives the general advice not to eat home-produced eggs.
Health effects of PFAS
If people consume more PFAS than the health-based guidance value over a longer period of time, this can be harmful to their health. PFAS can affect the immune system, reproduction, and the development of unborn children. It can also affect cholesterol levels in the blood, affect the liver, and may cause kidney and testicular cancer. That is why it is important to ingest as little PFAS as possible.
RIVM is investigating the cause
The research shows that the amount of PFAS in home-produced eggs can vary by location. It is not yet clear how PFAS ends up in these eggs. Earthworms may be a possible source. Chickens can eat these worms. RIVM is currently conducting follow-up research into sources of PFAS in home-produced eggs.
Less PFAS in eggs from shops and markets
Commercial eggs from shops or markets can still be eaten. These eggs are usually packaged and must always be marked with a code stamped on the shell. Commercial eggs fall under the supervision of the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA).