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The presence of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in feed materials has caused great public concern because PCBs can accumulate in farmed animals, be transferred farm-to-fork and, ultimately, have a detrimental impact on human health. Recently, the occurrence of PCBs in marine environments has garnered scientific attention due to their high levels and potential reproductive threats to marine apex predators. Fishmeal is marine-origin feed material and is susceptible to PCB contamination from the aquatic trophic chain. The present study collected 102 fishmeal samples during 2012–2017 from major global fishmeal production areas (United States, Europe, China, South America and Southeast Asia). The levels of PCBs (26 congeners) were between 0.4 and 19.9 ng g−1 dw (mean: 1.94 ng g−1 dw), with a 75.3% contribution from indicator PCBs on a weight basis. Together with PCDD/Fs, 4.9% of fishmeal exceeded the maximum levels set by the European Commission for dioxin-like compounds (4.0 pg WHO-TEQ/g). The highest PCB levels were found in fishmeal from the U.S. (6.85 ng g−1 dw), which was nearly five times higher than the other four sampling areas. No clear time trends were found for PCBs in fishmeal during the sampling period. Predicted PCB concentrations in farmed fish via fishmeal consumption were between 1.24 and 2.76 ng g−1 dw, which was comparable to PCBs in market fish. When compared to other emerging POPs in the same batches of fishmeal, PCBs were still found to be an alarming class of POPs. Some PCB and PBDE congeners might have similar sources and environmental behaviors. Image 1 • The occurrence and profile of PCBs were identified in global fishmeal. • Fishmeal from the U.S. presented the highest PCB levels of five studied regions. • PCBs are still significant POPs despite having leveled off in marine environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Novel brominated flame retardants (NBFRs), which are lipophilic compounds that have been widely applied after the phasing-out of legacy BFRs, can bioaccumulate through the food chain. However, information on NBFRs in animal feeds, the beginning of farm-to-fork pathway, is very limited. Fishmeal is one of the most widely applied feedstuff worldwide. The present study identified eleven NBFRs from ninety-two globally collected fishmeal samples with levels in the range of 0.13–822 (mean: 15.1 ± 85.5) ng/g lipid weight (lw). Hexabromobenzene (HBB) and pentabromotoluene (PBT) were the most prevalent contributors (detection frequencies: 95.7% and 73.9%, respectively), and decabromodiphenylethane (DBDPE) was the weightiest contributor (accounted for 67.1% of the ΣNBFRs, mean: 12.1 ± 84.8 ng/g lw). From a geographical view, the highest NBFR level was found in Chinese fishmeal. The NBFRs fell within an order of magnitude in South America, Southeast Asia, Europe and United States. DBDPE was predominant in the fishmeal collected from China, South America and United States, but it was not detected in European fishmeal. The NBFR levels are significantly lower compared to the polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) (p < 0.01), indicating that the distribution of NBFRs was not as wide as PBDEs in fishmeal. DBDPE was significantly correlated with BDE209 (r = 0.557, p < 0.01), which implies that the two chemicals might have similar sources. Quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR)results imply that the NBFRs might have similar persistence and biomagnification potential as legacy lipophilic POPs. Graphical abstract fx1 Highlights • NBFRs levels and profiles are evaluated in global fishmeal. • Geographically different distributions of NBFRs in fishmeal were observed. • The NBFRs in animal feed can bioaccumulate through the food chain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphical abstract Highlights • Fishmeal is employed to evaluate PFAA levels on a global scale. • PFOS predominated, and a pervasive occurrence of short-chain PFAAs were found in fishmeal. • Fishmeal PFAAs were weighted more in industrialized areas compared to less industrialized areas. • Coastal residents are at risk of PFOS exposure through the farm-to-fork pathway. Abstract Few studies have attempted to elucidate the occurrence of perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) in animal feeds and how they play a role in human ingestion. Fishmeal was the most important animal-derived feed in global husbandry and may have been subjected to PFAA contamination considering the PFAAs' ubiquitous distribution in aquatic ecosystems. We collected ninety-two commercial fishmeal from the most important fishmeal-producing countries and found that Σ 16 PFAAs ranged from 0.65 to 85.5 ng/g (average: 18.2 ng/g, 12% moisture). PFOS still predominated, with unexpected high detection of PFUnDA. The wide occurrence of short-chain PFAAs (e.g., PFBA, PFBS) in fishmeal were found for the first time. From a geographical view, PFAA levels in fishmeal that originated from the Northern Hemisphere were significantly higher than those from the Southern Hemisphere (p < 0.01). Higher levels of under-studied long-chain PFAAs (PFNA, PFDA, PFUnDA, PFDoDA and PFTrDA) weighted more in industrialized areas than less industrialized areas, whereas the legacy PFAAs (PFOS, PFOA and PFHxS) were comparable among all regions. The estimated daily intake was calculated from animal feed to humans (via cultured fish) from 20 Chinese provinces by the Monte Carlo Simulation. A proportion of 29.8% of residents from the Fujian Province exceeded the EFSA's suggestion for PFOS ingestion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A UPLC-MS/MS method was developed for the determination of 12 bisphenols in animal feed. • The post-column ammonium hydroxide infusion was employed to improve sensitivities over 1.6–8.2 times. • Each investigated feed sample was simultaneously contaminated with at least 2 to 4 bisphenols. • BPA was the dominant analogue of BPs found in animal feed samples with concentrations ranging from 0.92 to 7.77 ng g−1. Bisphenol compounds (BPs) are a group of environmental contaminants with endocrine-disrupting effects both for humans and animals. The present work developed a sensitive analytical method for the detection of multiple BPs in the animal feed based on ultra performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) with post-column ammonium hydroxide (NH 4 OH) infusion. A modified QuEChERS method was incorporated into the extraction and purification processes. The limit of detection (LODs) and quantification (LOQs) for the target BPs were in the ranges of 0.02–0.75 μg kg−1 and 0.04–0.95 μg kg−1, respectively. Average recoveries were ranged between 82.6% and 112%. The proposed method was successfully applied to determine the concentrations of BPs in 20 actual feed samples, and the preliminary profiles of BPs in products from local feed factories were obtained. Each sample was simultaneously contaminated with at least 2 to 4 BPs, and bisphenol A (BPA) was the dominant analog of BPs found in animal feed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasing concerns over bisphenol A (BPA) as an endocrine disrupting chemical (EDC) and its adverse effects on both humans and animals have led to the substitution by structural analogs, such as bisphenol F (BPF), in many application areas. Information regarding to the carry-over of this emerging chemical in farm animals is essential for legislation and risk assessment purposes. In this study, a large-scale number of animal experiments were designed to investigate the transfer of BPF from feed to eggs. One control and three experimental groups of laying hens (72 hens per group) were fed with basal diets and BPF-contaminated feed at concentration levels of 0.1, 0.5 and 2.5 mg kg−1, respectively, for two weeks. The hens were then fed with BPF-free diets for a further four weeks. Eggs were collected daily, and separated into egg yolk and white for BPF analysis. The effects of different levels of BPF exposure on laying performance followed a non-monotonic dose-response curve, since low level BPF (0.1 mg kg−1) exposure did increase the laying rate, mean egg weight and daily feed intake, while high level BPF (2.5 mg kg−1) exposure showed a decreasing trend. BPF residues were detected in both egg yolks and whole eggs after two days of administration, and plateau phase was achieved within 9–18 days. There are clear linear dose-response relationships between the plateau BPF concentrations in feed and eggs. The residue of BPF was found mainly in egg yolks with conjugated form and depleted slowly (still detected 21 days after feeding the BPF-free diet of the high level group). Mean carry-over rate of 0.59% BPF from feed to eggs was obtained. Compared with the carry-over rates of PCBs and dioxins, BPF showed a relatively minor trend of bioaccumulation in eggs. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the deposition, depletion, and bioaccumulation study of bisphenols in farm animals. The quantity of data can therefore be helpful in the frame of risk assessment, especially for a comprehensive estimation of consumer exposure to the residues of bisphenols. Image 1 • Effects of bisphenol F (BPF) exposure on egg production followed non-monotonic dose-response curves. • Residues of BPF were mainly in egg yolks with conjugated form and depleted slowly. • Mean carry-over rate of 0.59% BPF from feed to eggs was calculated. • Suggestively, BPF might not bioaccumulate in eggs relative to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and dioxins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Both SCCPs and MCCPs were detected in plastic animal feed packaging samples. • The distributions and profiles of SCCPs and MCCPs varied in different packaging. • Time and temperature influenced the migration of CPs from the packaging. • Shorter chain and lower chlorinated congener groups were dominant in animal feed. Chlorinated paraffins (CPs) are used as plasticizers and flame retardants in plastics. Plastic packaging containing CPs is widely used for storage of animal feed, which can become contaminated by CPs that migrate into the feed. In the present study, 31 commercial animal feed packaging samples made of polypropylene (PP) or polyethylene (PE) were collected from animal feed manufacturers in China. The mean concentrations of short-chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs) in the PP and PE samples were 60.0 and 54.5 μg/g, respectively. The medium-chain chlorinated paraffin (MCCP) mean concentrations in the PP and PE samples were 62.7 and 9.23 μg/g, respectively. The carbon congener group profiles of SCCPs and MCCPs in the samples were different. The dominant SCCP and MCCP chlorine congener groups in all the samples were Cl 6–7 and Cl 6–8 , respectively. Time and temperature influenced the migration of CPs from packaging into animal feed. As the time or temperature increased, the CP concentrations in the animal feed increased but the congener group profiles of the SCCPs and MCCPs in the animal feed did not change. To reduce contamination of animal feed by CPs, it is necessary to restrict the use of CPs in animal feed packaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• High SCCP and MCCP concentrations were found in raw cow milk from industrial areas. • SCCP concentrations in raw milk and silage were higher than MCCP concentrations. • Animal feed might be an important source of dairy cow exposure to SCCPs and MCCPs. • Bioconcentration factors for SCCPs and MCCPs in cow milk were calculated. • The exposure of Chinese residents to SCCPs and MCCPs via cow milk is minimal. Chlorinated paraffins (CPs) are industrial chemicals that are produced in large quantities and used globally. Human exposure to CPs is primarily through dietary intake, especially from animal-derived food products. Even so, there is little information regarding CP concentrations in dairy products. In this study, raw samples of cow milk were collected from various regions in China within the Neimenggu (n = 10), Hebei (n = 9), Shandong (n = 10), Henan (n = 10) and Hubei (n = 9) provinces. The mean concentrations of short chain CPs (SCCPs) and medium chain CPs (MCCPs) in the milk samples from industrial areas (1670 and 190 ng/g lipid, respectively) were higher than those from non-industrial areas (490 and 72 ng/g lipid, respectively). In most samples, C 10 H 16 Cl 6 and C 14 H 23 Cl 7 were the primary SCCP and MCCP congener groups, respectively. The mean concentrations of SCCPs and MCCPs in dairy cow feed (silage) were determined to be 750 and 36 ng/g dry weight, respectively. The SCCP and MCCP congener group patterns in the milk were similar to those in the silage, indicating that animal feed intake might be an important pathway for the exposure of dairy cows to CPs. Thus, the ingestion of CPs by humans through dairy products should not be neglected and the contamination of animal feed by CPs should be considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• PFAA levels were investigated in current commonly used protein feeds. • The highest PFAA levels were observed in blood meal. • Length-specific PFAA profiles were evaluated among five categories protein feeds. • Plant-origin and terrestrial-origin feeds were susceptible to short-chain PFAAs. Animal protein supplement feeds (APFs) are susceptible to perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) and could be the main sources for raised animals, thereafter causing further human exposure through the farm-to-fork pathway. However, the occurrence of PFAAs has been rarely evaluated in various APFs, especially for emerging short-chain PFAAs. In the present study, we collected the most prevalent APFs (blood meal, meat meal, feather meal, soybean meal and DDGS) and found that Σ 16 PFAAs ranged from undetectable to 37.1 ng/g dry weight (dw) (average: 7.23 ng/g dw). Blood meal contained the highest PFAA levels, and results revealed that some terrestrial-derived APFs might be present at levels on par with the marine-derived feed. Animal-derived APFs (mean 10.9 ng/g dw) possessed higher ∑PFAAs than plant-derived APFs (0.75 ng/g dw). Length-specific PFAA profiles were specified between terrestrial-origin and marine-origin feeds in addition to animal-derived and plant-derived feeds. Short-chain PFAAs (PFBA, PFBS and PFHxS) were primarily found in blood meal, meat meal, soybean meal and DDGS, while the long-chain counterparts dominated in feather meal. It is of great concern that feed exposure to emerging contaminants has not drawn enough attention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Animal-derived food plays an important role in human exposure to bisphenol compounds (BPs), potentially as a result of the presence of BPs in animal feed. Even so, there have been few studies regarding the source of BPs in animal feed. The objective of the present study was to assess both the occurrence of BPs in animal feed packaging and the migration of BPs from feed packaging into animal feed. Thirteen BPs were monitored in 30 used animal feed plastic packaging samples previously employed for different animal feedstuffs and made of polypropylene (PP) or polyethylene (PE). Six and two BPs were found in PP-based woven bags and PE-based films, respectively. Bisphenol A (BPA) was the predominant analogue with a wide range of concentrations in both the PP- and PE-based packaging. A migration experiment was performed and provided the first-ever confirmation that BPA is able to migrate from plastic packaging into solid feed. Both contact time and the initial BP concentration affected the extent of migration. These results expand our knowledge regarding the origin of BPs in the food chain and suggest that further study of the bioaccumulation of BPs in animals is warranted. Image 1 • The potential for BPs to enter animal feed from plastic packaging was assessed. • Several BPs were found in animal feed plastic packaging and BPA was predominant. • BPA was found to migrate from plastic packaging into solid animal feed. • BPA levels in packaging and contact time were the main factors determining migration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]