Testing animal food contamination

In 1999, the European Commission set a limit on the amount of dioxin that there may be in kaolinitic clay. This clay is sometimes used in animal feed as a binder and anti-caking agent. EU member states can no longer authorize the use of kaolinitic clays containing more than 0.5 nanograms of dioxin per kilogram of product. The measure was a provisional one and scientists would continue to assess the health risk.