News

Parents advised to limit their children’s intake of organic eggs following PFAS discovery

Probably best to cut down their weekly quota to two, concludes DTU Fødevareinstituttet

You couldn’t really make it up: for a long time now, the perceived wisdom is that eating cage eggs is a bad choice for society, to the extent that today they are frowned upon, some supermarkets have stopped selling them altogether, and the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries wants to completely phase them out by 2035.

But a study carried out by DTU Fødevareinstituttet and Fødevarestyrelsen, of which the findings were reported yesterday by DR, claims the harmful carcinogenic PFAS substances, found recently in Danish groundwater and rainwater, have also been discovered in organic egg yolks. 

While PFAS has also been detected in cage and free-range eggs, the presence is minimal compared to the amounts found in the organic eggs.

Probably derived from fishmeal in the feed
“There are very few PFAS substances in the conventional eggs,” revealed Kit Granby, an associate professor at DTU Fødevareinstituttet and lead author of the study, which surveyed eggs at over 20 organic egg suppliers along with a number of other producers. 

“The substances have been found in eggs from producers throughout the country. The conclusion is that it comes from the chickens’ feed.”

The study concludes that the PFAS are present in fishmeal, which would tie in with the frequent discoveries of the substance in groundwater and rainwater.  

Children vulnerable if they eat plenty of organic eggs
DTU Fødevareinstituttet warns that the most vulnerable segment of the population, as a result of the study’s conclusions, are children aged four to nine who eat more than 2.5 organic eggs per week. Fødevarestyrelsen concurs, suggesting the population in general should limit themselves to just two eggs a week for the foreseeable future.

“PFAS are not substances that make you acutely ill, but if you consume excessive amounts over several years, they can damage the immune system – for example by reducing the effect of childhood vaccinations, increasing cholesterol levels in the blood and reducing birth weight,” added Granby.

“Our studies clearly indicate that the unwanted substance has been transferred to the eggs via fishmeal in the chicken feed. Therefore, a replacement with a non-contaminated feed ingredient within a few weeks could significantly reduce the content of PFAS in the eggs.”

MPs who sought answers want more answers
MPs, already outraged by the discovery of PFAS substances in Danish rainwater, now want answers about the eggs.

“It is scary. This story is one of a long series of stories that will run for some time yet,” said SF’s environmental affairs spokesperson, Carl Valentin.

“It is a huge problem, and it is everywhere in many of the everyday products we have. Therefore drastic action must be taken, first and foremost with a national ban on the use of these PFAS substances, along with a major action plan.”

Konservative MP Mette Abildgaard agreed that action is necessary as quick as possible. “I hope the minister doesn’t spend a long time acquiring a lot of new knowledge, because we already have a lot of knowledge, and I think we just have to get started,” she said.

TOP STORIES

  • International workers face higher risks in Danish workplaces

    International workers face higher risks in Danish workplaces

    A fatal accident in Flemløse has raised concerns about the safety of foreign workers in Denmark. A study by Aalborg University revealed that migrant workers, particularly in construction, face higher accident risks. The report calls for stricter penalties, better inspections, and improved conditions, as their numbers have increased significantly.

  • The standard of living in Denmark is among the highest in the world, says a study

    The standard of living in Denmark is among the highest in the world, says a study

    Productivity, low inequality, and strong unionization make Denmark an economy able to provide high standards of living for ordinary wage earners, according to a study by the Danish Trade Union’s Business Council

  • Dane wows to fight for cheaper energy and green transition in new EU Commission

    Dane wows to fight for cheaper energy and green transition in new EU Commission

    With a slim majority, the EU Parliament approved the new Commission under the leadership of German Ursula von der Leyen on Wednesday. Danish Dan Jørgensen will be EU Commissioner for Energy and Housing. Like his colleagues, he is ready to work for Europe from next week

  • Two internationals died in a workplace accident in Fyn

    Two internationals died in a workplace accident in Fyn

    A major workplace accident took place at Flemløse Biogas in Fyn. Two foreign nationals died, and six others were injured, with their conditions still undisclosed. The police and emergency services are searching for another missing person.

  • Employment in the green industry is growing

    Employment in the green industry is growing

    According to data from Statistics Denmark, employment in the green industry grew by an average of nearly 6% in one year. In some sub-sectors, this growth reached between 10% and 20%. These numbers make the green sector one of the fastest-growing in terms of employment in Denmark.

  • For the first time, Danish won’t be used in Folketing parliamentary work

    For the first time, Danish won’t be used in Folketing parliamentary work

    Aki-Matilda Høegh-Dam, a member of the Greenlandic party Siumut and a member of Parliament, said that she would use only her mother tongue during the Folketing’s question time sessions. As a result, Parliament decided to trial simultaneous interpretation.

Connect club

Connect Club is your gateway to a vibrant programme of events and an international community in Denmark.

Sign up here

Career

  • Employment in the green industry is growing

    Employment in the green industry is growing

    According to data from Statistics Denmark, employment in the green industry grew by an average of nearly 6% in one year. In some sub-sectors, this growth reached between 10% and 20%. These numbers make the green sector one of the fastest-growing in terms of employment in Denmark.

  • The intuition trap: leading Danes in cross-cultural teams

    The intuition trap: leading Danes in cross-cultural teams

    Signe Biering, an executive coach trained in psychology with a background in diplomacy, explains how over-reliance on intuition in decision-making can hinder cross-cultural collaboration. She highlights Denmark’s cultural tendency to trust gut feelings and authenticity but warns of its risks in diverse teams. Biering advocates for leaders to challenge instincts, embrace differences, and balance intuition with analytical thinking to foster trust, collaboration, and growth.

  • “Talents, start using AI tools now,” says Siri and Change.org founder

    “Talents, start using AI tools now,” says Siri and Change.org founder

    In an exclusive interview with The Copenhagen Post, the founder of Siri and Change.org, and currently VP of AI Experience at Airbnb, gives young talents advice on how to deal with the job market changed by artificial intelligence.

Want to advertise your job with CPH Post?

Contact us

Jobs