On March 12, 2024, the European Food Safety Agency (EFSA) issued document No. 2024.8640, issuing a scientific opinion on the risks posed to animal and human health by the presence of polychlorinated naphthalene (PCN) in feed and food.

(1) Polychlorinated naphthalene (PCN) is a member of the chlorinated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (Cl PAHs) class based on the naphthalene ring system, in which one or more hydrogen atoms have been replaced by chlorine. Most commercially produced PCNs exist in the form of homologous mixtures with melting points ranging from below room temperature to approximately 200 ° C. Polychlorinated naphthalene (PCN) is a member of the chlorinated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (Cl PAHs) class based on the naphthalene ring system, in which one or more hydrogen atoms have been replaced by chlorine. Most commercially produced PCNs exist in the form of homologous mixtures with melting points ranging from below room temperature to approximately 200 ° C;
(2) For naphthalene hexachloride in food, 2317 analysis results were used to estimate dietary exposure levels for different dietary surveys and age groups. The maximum exposure level for the general population is 0.91 to 29.8 micrograms per kilogram of body weight per day, while the maximum exposure level for breastfed infants is 220 to 559 micrograms per kilogram of body weight per day (pg);
(3) Considering the uncertain factors affecting the assessment, the expert group has at least 99% confidence in reaching the conclusion that dietary intake of naphthalene hexachloride will not cause health problems for any population under consideration. Due to significant limitations in existing data, it is not possible to evaluate the genotoxic effects or health risks of polychlorinated naphthalene other than hexachloronaphthalene;
(4) Next steps and suggestions. We will encourage data providers to submit further occurrence data in food and feed, especially in different fish and infant formula milk; Monitor the occurrence of PCN in eggs and other edible products of food producing animals raised near PCN contaminated soil or other PCN sources; Non animal studies are needed to support the assessment of the adverse effects of PCN in both food and non food producing animals; Suggest that the European Food Safety Agency develop a unified guideline that allows data from experimental animals to be extrapolated to both food producing and non food producing animals.