Fipronil presence in feed materials: hints for a geographical risk analysis to support the transition towards safe and sustainable food systems

The procurement of feed raw materials on international markets is a critical point for feed-food security within the EU. Imports may originate from countries with regulatory frameworks that differ from those of the EU, particularly concerning the use of pesticides in agriculture. Focusing on recent cases of contamination in imported molasses and distillers' grains with fipronil-a fluorinated pesticide of high priority due to its eco-toxicological impacts-this work aims to provide guidance on non-compliance risk assessments for both corporate and official monitoring programs. The analysis considers challenges and stability factors, related to import flows from 2021 to 2024 of raw materials from countries with varying geographical risk profiles, in Italy. Fipronil processing factors in the production of circular feeds from contaminated raw materials, the feed formula, the bioaccumulation features, and the existing EU regulatory framework and control measures, as well as the rapid availability of results from official analysis carried out are qualifyng points for the stability of the food system. National pig farming and aquaculture sectors were identified as the most sensitive to imported contamination risk with respect EU Maximum Residue Limits in place. This work is intended as a case study to facilitate discussions on transitioning towards safer and more sustainable supply chains, aligned with the One Health and Planetary Health assumptions.