The extensive 2017 Fipronil egg contamination incident in the EU recently concluded with a court decision in the Netherlands. The judgment found that ChickFriend, the company responsible for applying the compound was liable for damages.

According to evidence presented, ChickFriend and affiliates undertook to treat 250 farms in the Netherlands with an allegedly non-chemical compound to treat red mites (Dermanyssus spp).  The compound designated “Dega-6” was claimed to be a combination of eucalyptus and menthol oils.  ChickFriend obtained the combination from a supplier in Belgium but according to evidence presented, requested that fipronil an insecticide not approved for use in poultry, should be added to the mixture of essential oils. 

In the event, all 250 farms were contaminated with fipronil resulting in residues in eggs that were detected on routine food safety assay.  Ultimately forty-five nations including twenty-six in the EU reported residues, albeit at low levels.  The existence of rapid reporting systems including the EU RASFF portal facilitated recalls and depopulation of farms with remedial measures. The routine assay systems in EU nations that led to the rapid identification of fipronil contamination and subsequent recalls were based on experience gained in the 1999 incident involving contamination of eggs, milk and pork with dioxins from re-processed animal fat.

 The courts rejected claims against the Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority of the Netherlands and also a claim against the supplier of “Dega-16” since ChickFriend knew that the compound contained fipronil, a fact that was not conveyed to their Dutch customers.

ChickFriend filed for bankruptcy and it is not known whether claims against the company will ever be paid or whether the Dutch government has a fund to compensate farmers for losses.

The U.S. benefited from the event, as egg liquid and breaking stock was exported to the EU to compensate for reduced availability from farms in Holland.

There are obvious lessons from this incident

• The integrity and reliability of suppliers of compounds and services must be verified
• Routine assay of representative samples of eggs from a broad range of compounds is necessary to maintain the wholesomeness of eggs consumed or exported from a nation
• Rapid response systems with international distribution of data expedite recalls and preventive action
• The image of national producers can be degraded by contamination or food borne infection.