PBDEs are a class of brominated flame retardants (BFRs). They are man-made chemicals used in a wide variety of products such as plastics, textiles and electrical/electronic equipment to make them less flammable. PBDEs can leach into the air, water, soil, food and feed.

These contaminants mainly occur in food of animal origin, such as fish, meat and milk. From research in experimental animals that was assessed in the draft opinion, experts concluded that PBDEs may have an adverse effect on the reproductive and nervous systems.  

The CONTAM Panel recommended that monitoring of the presence of PBDEs in food should continue. In particular, experts called for more data on the occurrence of PBDEs in infant formula and on how these substances transfer from the mother to the infant during pregnancy and lactation.

EFSA performed a previous assessment of PBDEs in 2011, when it assessed the risk for individual PBDEs and identified health concerns for young people only. This latest draft…