20.06.2012

The chemical dioxin had been found above permitted levels in eggs from a German farm following discoveries at six other farms in the country in April and May. The poultry farm is in the Emsland area in the north German state of Lower Saxony. The farm with its 12,000 chickens has been quarantined and its eggs recalled from sale. The dioxin was discovered by the farm's own safety checks.
The previous dioxin discoveries were in eggs at farms in Lower Saxony and the neighboring state of North Rhine Westphalia. In January 2011, an European Union-wide health alert was sparked when German officials said animal feed tainted with dioxin had been fed to hens and pigs, contaminating eggs, poultry meat and pork at affected farms.