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Among numerous potential chemical food contaminants, polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, dibenzofurans and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls, collectively referred as dioxins, are commonly considered as bearing substantial risk for human health due to their toxicological properties, persistency and ability to bioaccumulate in food chains. The results of epidemiological studies suggest that environmental exposure to these compounds may affect multiple physiological processes in humans, mainly by the mechanism of endocrine disruption. Adverse health effects linked to the long-term exposure to dioxins include the increase of cancer risk, reproductive and developmental impairment as well as effects on immune functions. Exposure through food (mainly of animal origin) is the major source of dioxin exposure for humans, estimated to account for about 95% of the total intake for non-occupationally exposed persons. Recent studies showed that a consistent part of the European population has an intake exceeding internationally agreed "safe" doses as the Tolerable Daily or Weekly Intake (TDI, TWI). It is worthy to note that percentage of persons with estimated dioxin intake above tolerable limits is much higher among children than in adults. Since the "Belgian dioxin crisis" that occurred in 1999, the estimation of human exposure to these compounds and related consumer risk assessment has been recognized in the European Union as one of the priority activities in the field of food safety. Among activities undertaken by the European Commission during implementation of the Community Strategy for dioxins, furans and polychlorinated biphenyls the maximum and action levels have been established with random monitoring by Member States. The legislation on the requirements for sampling and methods of analysis used in the official control laboratories has been set up as well. Member States are obliged to measure background levels of dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs in defined food categories for the EU monitoring program on a yearly basis and to forward the results to the European Commission (since 2008 to the European Food Safety Authority). The monitoring results, covering samples collected from 1999 to 2008, evaluated and reported recently by EFSA, became the basis for updating maximum levels of dioxins and dl-PCBs as set up in Commission Regulation (EC) 1881/2006. The legislation will also be changed by replacing the current toxicity equivalency factors (TEFs) system from 1998 (WHO,1998-TEFs) by a new TEFs proposed by the WHO in 2005 (WHO 2005-TEFs). It is expected that new limits for dioxins and dl-PCBs in food will come into force not later than in the beginning of 2012.

The role of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) in the risk management system regarding food contact materials and articles is related with the risk assessment of the substances for the European Commission. General rules for the authorisation of substances used in materials and articles intended to contact with food is established in the Regulation (EC) no 1935/2004. For the evaluation of substances their toxicological properties and magnitude of migration into food simulants is taken into account. Toxicological studies include the mutagenicity tests, oral toxicity studies, carcinogenicity, reproduction and also studies on absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion of the substance and other studies when needed. The set of the relevant toxicological data for substance depends on the magnitude of migration. In the case of positive opinion by EFSA the substance appears on the Community list of authorised substances. Sometimes, the earlier evaluated and authorized substances must undergo re-evaluation due to their new toxicological properties or as a result of a presence in the food of their earlier unknown decomposition products. Examples of the selected substances which underwent re-evaluation by EFSA in the light of the current toxicological knowledge and the relevant activities undertaken by the European Commission have been presented.

For each pesticide used in food or feed productions, the legislative authorities have to establish the residue definitions, that mean compounds which need to be taken into account in risk assessment in process of authorization of plant protection products as well as in establishing and enforcing Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs). The residue definition for a given pesticide can be different depending on the aim for which they are used. Inclusion of a compound in such definition results in consequence in its later analysis in different matrices during monitoring and official control. Inclusion of compounds in the definition depends on a number of factors, and the decisions on whether they should be included have to be made for every case separately. The definition should include toxicologically important compounds, and those which contribute into the residue in 10 or more percent of TRR, or those that have been detected in livestock and plants as metabolites different than those found in rats.

Nitrosamines are know as the most potent group of carcinogens. Approximately 300 of these compounds have been tested, and about 90% of them have been found to be carcinogenic in laboratory animals. N-nitrosodimethylamine causes liver cancer, whereas some of tobacco specific nitrosamines causes lung cancer. Volatile N-nitrosamines induce tumors in a variety of human organs, including the tongue, esophagus, lung, pancreas, liver, kidney and bladder. They are formed during reaction of secondary or tertiary amino compounds and nitrite or nitrogen oxides. Nitrosamines occurs as contaminants in many foodstuff including food and beverages: beers, cheeses, sausages, smoked and pickled foods. They are formed during frying, smoking and food preserved with pickling salt. These compounds can also be produced in man and other mammals under the acidic conditions in the stomach. The present study was carried out to determine level of N-nitrosodimethylamine in selected 13 meat products. The extraction procedure was based on Raoul's method, ie. on two consecutive extraction-concentration step using extrelut and florisil columns. The level of N-nitrosodimethylamine was varied from 0.049 mg/kg to 16.47 mg/kg. The highest level of NDMA was found in smoked sausage.

As foodstuffs adulterated by illegal dyes, such as Sudan I, II, III IIV, para-Red, have appeared on the European Union market, the emergency measures to eliminate this problem have been taken. The illegal dyes are added to dried, ground chilli, curry, curcuma and to palm oil. These products are imported from countries outside the E.U. The adulteration concerns also ready to eat products which contain the ingredients mentioned above. Apart from the adulteration, the presence of illegal dyes in foodstuffs can be a threat to consumer's health. In 2003-2005 three Commission Decisions on emergency measures regarding some products which can contain illegal dyes were published. Since May 2003 to March 2006, 651 notifications on food adulteration by illegal dyes were sent to the RASFF system. As a result of the taken measures, the number of notifications have decreased. The possibility of food adulteration by illegal dyes different from the ones which are used now are considered. This is the reason why the continuation of food control and cooperation between official control authorities and food producers are necessary.

In the light of issues discussed during 24th Session of Codex Committee on Methods of Analysis and Sampling that was held in Budapest, 18-22 November 2002, the current activity of this Committee is presented. More detailed information about some of the most advanced or interesting documents is included, i. e. Proposed Draft General Guidelines On Sampling, Harmonized IUPAC Guidelines for Single-Laboratory Validation of Methods of Analysis, Consideration of methods for the detection and identification of food derived from biotechnology.

In the following review, European Union legislation concerning maximum level of patulin in foodstuffs was reported. Commission Regulation (EC) No 1425/2003 of 11 August 2003 amending Regulation (EC) No 466/2001, Commission Directive 2003/78/EC of 11 August 2003 laying down the sampling methods and the methods of analysis for the official control of the levels of patulin in foodstuffs and Commission Recommendation of 11 August 2003 on the prevention and reduction of patulin contamination in apple juice and apple juice ingredients in other beverages as regards patulin was reported.

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) due to its physicochemical properties, especially regidity and glass-like transparency is widely used as food packaging material. The relevant legislation states that substances may not migrate from food contacting materials in quantities that may cause undesirable changes in organoleptic properties of food coming into contact with such material. The lists of substances authorized for food contact plastic materials and requirements for the final product were established. The requirements concern global migration limits (60 mg/kg or 10 mg/dm2) and specific migration limits (SML) set for substances which, when migrate into food in grater quantities may cause risk for human health. For the products manufactured from PET the specific migration limits were set for terephthalic acid (7.5 mg/kg), for isophthalic acid (5 mg/kg), for isophthalic acid dimethyl ester (0.05 mg/kg) and for ethylene and diethylene glycol (30 mg/kg). PET may undergo thermal degradation resulting in formation of acetaldehyde, which may influence organoleptic characteristics of packaged foods changing taste and smell.

In the EU countries the use of the chemical substances for plastics intended to come into contact with foodstuffs is regulated by Directive 89/109/EEC and the several specific Directives. Positive lists of the chemical substances for plastics intended to manufacturing of food packaging are placed in Directive 90/128/EEC on plastics materials. This 90/128/EEC Directive so-called "Monomer Directive" has been amended five times by Directives 92/39/EEC, 93/9/EEC, 95/3/EC, 96/11/EC and 99/91/EC. Directive 90/128/EEC so-called "Monomer Directive" provides: list of monomers and other starting substances that can be used in the manufacture of plastics materials and articles, placed in two Sections (A and B), and list of additives initiated from Directive 95/3/EC. Other additives will be added to this list on the basis of their positive national regulatory status in the EU countries and limits of migration (global, specific). According to the EU legislation all the substances before placing on the positive lists are the evaluated and authorized by the scientific bodies (SCF and/or JECFA). The EU legislation on the plastics materials and articles intended to come into contact with foodstuffs will be implemented into Polish law. However all the regulations relating to the chemical substances and limits of migration (global and specific) are already accepted by the National Institute of Hygiene.

Monitoring of safety of animal products depends on the Government budget. Control management of the animal products quality, according to The White Book of Food safety (Brussels 12/01/2000), includes: 1) regular monitoring of animal infectious diseases which can be directly or indirectly, transmitted by food products to humans (Directive 92/117 EC, 17/12/1992; including poultry salmonellosis 1/07/1999); 2) monitoring of chemical, biological, medicaments and contamination residues (Directive 96/23 EC, 24/04/1996).

This work reviews the legal regulations constituting the basis for control of chemical substances present in the working and natural environment as well as in food and utility products in Poland. It has been found that there are many regulations which comply with legislative needs. However, a lack of general regulation on the protection of human health and the environment against the noxious effects of chemicals is widely acknowledged. The unsatisfactory condition of human health and environment in Poland may be attributed to the fact that the existing standards are often disregarded. The authors are of the opinion that implementation of an organizational and legal system of chemical safety would be an important step towards improving the existing situation.