Dioxin and PCB Analysis — EN 16215 / HRGC-HRMS / (EU) 2023/915

What Is Dioxins?

Dioxin and PCB analysis is the determination of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, dibenzofurans and polychlorinated biphenyls, which are classified as persistent organic pollutants. The sample is extracted, undergoes multi-step purification, and measured by high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRGC-HRMS) or GC-MS/MS. The results are expressed as TEQ by multiplying by toxic equivalence factors.

Purpose of Dioxins

The aim is to show that these compounds are below the maximum levels in the legislation in food and feed. Dioxins accumulate in fatty tissue and are concentrated throughout the food chain.

Which Products Is Dioxins Applied To?

Fish and seafood
Meat, dairy and eggs
Animal and vegetable oils
Feed and feed raw materials
Liver and offal products

In Which Sectors Is Dioxins Used?

FoodAgricultureRetailAgricultureEnvironment

Standards Related to Dioxins

TS EN 16215 (feed — dioxin and dioxin-like PCB, HRGC-HRMS)
TS EN 1948 serisi (emisyonlarda dioksin — ilgili teknik referans)
US EPA 1613 (izotop seyreltme HRGC-HRMS)
(EU) 2022/1428 methods of sampling and analysis

Dioxins Conditions

internal standard: Isotope marked standards are mandatory
Temizleme: Multistage column chromatography
Measurement: HRGC-HRMS or validated GC-MS/MS
Hesap: TEQ with WHO toxic equivalence factors

Equipment for Dioxins

HRGC-HRMS
GC-MS/MS
Automatic multi-stage cleaning system
Soxhlet or accelerated solvent extraction system

Sample Requirements for Dioxins

Sufficient quantity required for samples with high oil content
The sample should be sent in a glass container, avoiding plastic contact.
Fat content must be reported — the result is also expressed on a fat basis
Sampling must comply with legislation

Duration of Dioxins

This is one of the longest and most complex food analyses: due to the multi-stage cleaning and high-resolution measurement, the result is usually available within a few weeks.

Dioxins Procedure

1The sample is homogenized and isotope labeled standards are added.
2Oil extraction is done.
3It is purified by multistage column chromatography.
4The extract is concentrated.
5Measured by HRGC-HRMS or GC-MS/MS.
6TEQ values are calculated and compared to maximum levels.

Dioxins Acceptance Criteria

(EU) 2023/915 defines maximum levels by product category for dioxin TEQ, dioxin + dioxin-like PCB total TEQ and indicator PCB total. A separate directive framework applies on the feed side. The levels to be applied are confirmed by the applicable text.

Evaluation of Results

Three separate results are evaluated and one may be below the limit while the other may be exceeded. Additionally, results can be expressed both on a product weight and oil basis; The basis on which it will be evaluated is defined in the legislation according to the product category and should not be confused.

Dioxins Report

Sample description, matrix and oil content
Applied standard and measurement technique
Results by congener
Sum of dioxin TEQ, total TEQ and indicator PCB
Measurement uncertainty and recoveries
Compared maximum levels

Accreditation

EUROLAB holds internationally recognised accreditation obtained from accreditation bodies party to the IAF and ILAC multilateral recognition arrangements, under ISO/IEC 17025 for laboratory testing, ISO/IEC 17020 for inspection and surveillance, and ISO/IEC 17021-1 and ISO/IEC 17065 for system and product certification. This chain ensures the reports and certificates issued are accepted worldwide.

Whether this test can be offered within accredited scope depends on your product and the standard applied; since accreditation is method-based, the scope is confirmed in writing at the quotation stage.

Scope and authorisations

Related Regulations

(EU) Maximum Contaminant Levels Regulation 2023/915
(EU) Sampling and Analysis Methods Regulation 2022/1428
Persistent Organic Pollutants Regulation (EU) 2019/1021

Food Testing — What Does This Testing Field Cover?

The section below describes the field that the Dioxins test belongs to; the conditions and acceptance criteria of this particular test are given in the sections above. The scope specific to your product is confirmed in writing at the quotation stage.

Food testing shows that a product is safe for consumption and contains what its label states. The family works along three axes: microbiological safety, chemical safety and nutritional composition. All three require different laboratory infrastructure, a different body of methods and a different turnaround time.

The most distinctive feature of the field is TIME PRESSURE. A steel specimen can wait on a shelf; a raw milk or fresh meat sample cannot. The time the sample was taken, the transport temperature and how long it takes to reach the laboratory directly determine the validity of the result. In food microbiology the cold chain record is therefore an inseparable part of the test report.

On the microbiological side there are two different questions and they must not be confused. DETECTION of a pathogen is a qualitative question: is Salmonella present in the sample or not? ENUMERATION of indicator organisms is a quantitative question and an indicator of production hygiene. The absence of a pathogen in a product does not show that hygiene is good; if the total mesophilic aerobic count is high, there is a problem in the process.

On the chemical side, pesticide residues, mycotoxins, heavy metals, additives, veterinary drug residues and process contaminants (acrylamide, furan, PAH) are measured. Multi-residue methods in this area (QuEChERS-based LC-MS/MS and GC-MS/MS) can screen hundreds of active substances in a single analysis; limits are defined separately for each product–substance pair.

On the composition side, protein, fat, moisture, ash, fibre, sugar profile, fatty acid composition, vitamin and mineral content are determined. These values are the basis of the nutrition declaration on the label and the tolerance ranges are defined in legislation — the difference between the declared value and the measured value must stay within that tolerance.

There is NO CE marking on food, and this shapes how the field works. Conformity is demonstrated through operating a HACCP-based food safety system, complying with labelling rules and not exceeding contaminant, residue and microbiological limits. A test result produces evidence not for a certificate but for a functioning system.

Allergen management carries particular weight. The presence of an undeclared allergen in a product is one of the most frequent causes of food recalls. Analysis here runs together with cleaning validation: it is shown that the line has been cleaned adequately after a production run containing an allergen and that the risk of cross-contamination is under control.

Voluntary schemes have become effectively mandatory in this field. Retail chains require their suppliers to hold a certificate under a GFSI-recognised scheme (BRCGS, IFS, FSSC 22000); without it, getting onto the shelf is practically impossible.

Method groups in this field

Pathogen detection
Detection of Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes, Campylobacter, Cronobacter and Shiga toxin-producing E. coli; culture-based and molecular methods.
Indicator counts
Total mesophilic aerobic count, Enterobacteriaceae, coliforms and E. coli, coagulase-positive staphylococci, yeasts and moulds, lactic acid bacteria, sulphite-reducing Clostridia.
Pesticide and veterinary residues
Multi-residue screening by LC-MS/MS and GC-MS/MS with QuEChERS extraction.
Mycotoxins and contaminants
Aflatoxins, ochratoxin A, deoxynivalenol, patulin; heavy metals (ICP-MS), acrylamide and PAH compounds.
Nutritional composition
Kjeldahl protein, fat and fatty acid profile, moisture, ash, dietary fibre, sugar profile, vitamin and mineral analyses.
Allergens and authenticity
Gluten, milk, egg, nut and soy allergen analyses; molecular methods for species identification and adulteration detection.

Commonly confused in this field

Sampling is half the result. A sample transported at the wrong temperature or delayed gives an invalid result even if it is analysed correctly in the laboratory.
The absence of a pathogen does not show that hygiene is good; indicator counts give separate information and the two are read together.
A result from a sample taken from a lot can be generalised to the whole lot only if the sampling plan was set up statistically.
Limits are defined in separate regulations by product group and are updated regularly; a conformity decision based on an outdated limit table may be wrong.
For exports, the limits of the destination country may differ from EU limits; the same product may be compliant in one market and non-compliant in another.

Which decisions these results support

Verification of the HACCP plan and process monitoring
The basis for the nutrition declaration and allergen information on the label
Health certificates before export and compliance with destination market limits
Supplier and lot-based acceptance control
Shelf-life studies and determining storage conditions
Producing evidence for audits under GFSI-recognised schemes

Related Tests

Frequently Asked Questions About Dioxins

Can the scanning method be used?

Available. Legislation allows bioanalytical or GC-MS/MS-based screening methods; however, doubtful results must be confirmed by confirmatory method (HRGC-HRMS). Screening reduces cost, but the final decision is based on verification.

Why is it taking so long?

The concentrations sought are extremely low and their separation from the matrix requires multistage purification. These steps cannot be shortened; When it is shortened, the result loses reliability due to interference.