Importing food containing contaminants

All products imported into the UK must comply with European Union (EU) law on contaminants.

There are several teams within the Agency that can provide further guidance on; dioxins, PCBs (Polychlorinated biphenyls), PAHs (Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons), inorganic contaminants, organic contaminants, process contaminants, mycotoxins, nitrates in vegetables and also food contact materials. Relevant contacts and contact details for these teams are provided.

Please note: Similar regulations apply to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. For further details please contact the devolved Agency offices. Contact details can be found at: food.gov.uk/aboutus/contactus/

Mycotoxins
Elli Amanatidou
email: mycotoxins@foodstandards.gsi.gov.uk
Tel: 020 7276 8322

Nitrates in vegetables
Jonathan Briggs
email: jonathan.briggs@foodstandards.gsi.gov.uk
Tel: 020 7276 8716

Inorganic Contaminants and Process Contaminants
Gavin Shears
email: gavin.shears@foodstandards.gsi.gov.uk
Tel: 020 7276 8713

Dioxins, Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)
David Mortimer
email: david.mortimer@foodstandards.gsi.gov.uk
Tel: 020 7276 8731

Food Contact Materials
Vincent Greenwood
email: foodcontactmaterial@foodstandards.gsi.gov.uk
Tel: 020 7276 8548

More in this section

  • Aflatoxins

    Wednesday 30 November 2011

    Aflatoxins are a type of toxin found naturally in some foods that have been linked with cancer when eaten at high levels. Some spices, nuts, dried fruit and cereals, including cereal products like breakfast cereals, can contain high levels of aflatoxins.

  • Contaminated spices and palm oils

    Wednesday 28 December 2011

    There have been some problems with certain spices being contaminated.

  • Soy sauce containing 3-MCPD

    Wednesday 30 November 2011

    There have been problems with some soy-sauce products with a chemical called 3-MCPD, which could cause cancer. There are limits on the levels of 3-MCPD that can be present in products imported into the UK and the rest of the European Union, so if you are planning to import soy sauce or products containing it, you need to be aware of the rules.