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National Monitoring Plan for POAO: Data Analysis Report 2022-23

National Monitoring Plan for POAO: Data Analysis Report 2022-23 - Sampling for chemical contaminants

A summary of the chemical contaminants sampling results of imported products of animal origin (POAO) undertaken at UK Border Inspection Posts (BCPs), under the UK’s National Monitoring Plan (NMP), between April 2022 and March 2023.

Last updated: 19 April 2024
Last updated: 19 April 2024

There were 73 samples from 11 countries taken and checked for the presence of chemical contaminants. There were six non-compliant samples for Benzo-a-pyrene from Ghana.

The greatest number of chemical contaminant samples were taken from Ghana (19 or 26%) followed by Pakistan (14 or 19%) and Sri Lanka (13 or 18%).

Figure 11 - Samples taken by country of origin and percentage of total

There were 73 samples from 11 countries taken and checked for the presence of chemical contaminants. There were six non-compliant samples for Benzo-a-pyrene from Ghana. The greatest number of chemical contaminant samples were taken from Ghana (19 or 26%) followed by Pakistan (14 or 19%) and Sri Lanka (13 or 18%).
Country of origin Number of samples Percentage
Ghana 19 26%
Pakistan 14 19%
Sri Lanka 13 18%
India 9 12%
Vietnam 6 8%
China 4 5%
New Zealand 3 4%
Paraguay 2 3%
Brazil 1 -
Maldives 1 -
South Africa 1 -
Total 73 100%

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Of the samples tested for chemical contaminants, the highest numbers were for dioxins (21), followed by benzo-a-pyrene (15), and sulphur dioxide (SO2) (10).

Figure 12 - Samples tested for chemical contaminants

Hazard Number of samples
Dioxins 21
Benzo-a-pyrene 15
Sulphur dioxide (SO2) 10
Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) 8
Bisphenol A 5
SEM (semicarbazide) 5
Chlorate and Perchlorate 4
PCB sum 3
Polyphosphates STPP (E452) 2
Total 73