What activities involving dioxins are U.S. governmental agencies currently doing?
APHIS APHIS does not currently have any activities or programs that involve dioxins. EPA The EPA is responsible for setting and enforcing acceptable levels of pesticides and other environmental contaminants in foods (except for meat and poultry). As a part of this, the EPA collects and uses data on the incidence and levels of pesticides and contaminants in foods. While the EPA has not been conducting routine monitoring of food products for the presence of dioxins, they have completed various studies over time, as well as having some ongoing research projects. In the mid-90’s, the EPA and the FSIS conducted a joint survey which measured dioxin levels in commercial beef, pork, and poultry, as well as other food products. It was from this survey that the high levels of dioxin were discovered in poultry meat that eventually traced back to the ball clay anti-caking agent used in the production of animal feed. The EPA’s Dioxin Exposure Initiative is modeling the human intake of dioxins. This
