On Nov. 1, 2023, the U.S. Department of Agriculture;s Food Safety and Inspection Service will begin a one-year sampling program of domestic beef, pork, and Siluriformes fish to determine levels of dioxins and dioxin-like compounds.
This survey is part of FSIS’ effort to monitor dioxin in regulated products to provide insight on changes in human exposure to dioxin-like compounds through the diet. Dioxins are a group of compounds of public health concern that are found in the environment, generally occurring at very low levels as persistent environmental contaminants. FSIS in-plant personnel will collect the samples and the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) will analyze the samples. This is the latest survey in the recurring five-year cycle of dioxin surveys that FSIS conducts with other federal partners, including ARS, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Food and Drug Administration.