Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 10 December 2025
359. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Health her response to the newly published report “Unseen and Unregulated: TFA, the ‘forever chemical’ in Europe’s Cereals” (details supplied), which identifies widespread contamination of cereal-based foods across Europe, including samples purchased in Ireland; her intentions to assess the implications for Irish consumers. [70791/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra360. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Health if her Department has carried out an assessment of the potential health risk to children from trifluoroacetic acid exposure in cereal-based foods. [70792/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra361. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Health if she will allocate funding for Irish research into trifluoroacetic acid in food and the environment, given the absence of a national exposure assessment. [70793/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra362. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Health if she will instruct the Food Safety Authority of Ireland to immediately begin national testing of cereal-based foods for trifluoroacetic acid, given the widespread contamination reported across Europe. [70794/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 359, 360, 361 and 362 together.
I am aware of recent discussion regarding Trifluoroacetic Acid (TFA) in cereal-based foods, including the report “Unseen and Unregulated: TFA, the ‘forever chemical’ in Europe’s Cereals”, which presents findings across 16 European countries. The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) has advised that it will review this report and, as part of that process, will engage as necessary with EU counterparts, including the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). EFSA published a draft statement in 2025 on consumer health-based guidance values for TFA, and the final EFSA risk assessment is expected in 2026.
TFA can be present in the environment from multiple sources, including the atmospheric transformation of certain refrigerant gases and the use of some pesticide substances. Pesticides that could potentially give rise to TFA are already included in the European regulatory review programme established under Regulation (EC) No. 1107/2009. The scientific review is managed by EFSA and includes input from the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) where appropriate. EFSA and ECHA are currently completing a body of work regarding toxicological reference values for TFA and on the formation of TFA from pesticide use in the environment. It is important that all relevant information is considered in detail so that harmonised, coordinated action can be taken by European Member States regarding pesticide regulation. Ireland will continue to be guided by the scientific opinions and conclusions of EFSA and ECHA. Protection of human health is always the foremost concern.
With respect to monitoring, foods are routinely tested for the presence of certain contaminants under Regulation (EU) 2023/915. TFA is not currently included among those regulated chemical contaminants. In parallel, FSAI is assessing whether targeted national testing for TFA is practical and scientifically warranted at this time, taking into consideration available national or international research, current laboratory capacity, and the absence (pending EFSA’s final opinion) of an established health-based guidance value.
Regarding public health concerns, EFSA has been formally mandated by the European Commission to define a health-based guidance value for TFA for use in assessing potential risks for consumers via dietary intake. EFSA published a provisional value in July 2025, based on detailed analysis of technical data from a wide range of sources, and will finalise its scientific opinion in 2026 following public consultation. Based on EFSA’s published information—which is the most reliable scientific information currently available—the levels of TFA reported in some cereal-based foods do not indicate a health risk for children.
In addition to EFSA’s work, the European Commission has formally requested further scientific advice from ECHA and the World Health Organisation (WHO) to inform a harmonised EU approach and assist Member States in implementing coordinated measures. The outcomes of these processes will guide my Department.
