Contaminated meat ends up on our plates
The tests were carried out on beef samples.
Meat contaminated with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from Eastern Switzerland is ending up on plates across the country, according to an investigation by the "NZZ am Sonntag".
Last summer, St. Gallen authorities announced that they had found excessive amounts of PFAS, chemicals that are difficult to break down in the environment and considered harmful to health, in beef samples. In some cases, the limit values had been significantly exceeded. Despite this, the affected farmers were allowed to continue selling their meat.
"We haven't yet issued any sales bans," confirms Jürg Daniel, head of the St. Gallen Cantonal Office for Consumer Protection and Veterinary Affairs. Efforts have been made to quickly reduce contamination in livestock farms.
Meanwhile, authorities have detected excessive levels of PFAS in samples from 15 St. Gallen farms. "These are not acutely toxic substances. Consuming a piece of meat containing the currently detected residues is acceptable from a health perspective," says Jürg Daniel.
Bern disagrees. "The Confederation believes that the approach of the canton of St. Gallen does not comply with the requirements of food legislation," criticizes the Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (FSVO).
The FSVO has repeatedly drawn the attention of the St. Gallen authorities to this point. "PFAS contamination is a problem that must be taken very seriously. What the canton is currently doing is irresponsible," denounced National Councillor Franziska Ryser (Greens/SG).
On the other hand, those close to agriculture welcome the St. Gallen authorities' approach. "Closing farms or banning livestock farming would not be proportionate. This contamination has existed for a long time, and we have been eating this meat for years," says Peter Nüesch, longtime president of the St. Gallen Cantonal Farmers' Union.
Authorities across the country are currently searching for PFAS residues in food. Other cantons could also be in for unpleasant surprises. The Council of States will discuss the issue next Wednesday.
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