Distribution of poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances in pig liver and muscle: implications for food safety

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are persistent environmental contaminants with high mobility and potential health risks. Despite growing regulatory attention, data on tissue-specific distribution in pigs remain scarce. This study aimed to assess PFAS occurrence in pig liver and muscle (longissimus dorsi, semimembranosus) to support risk-based monitoring strategies. A liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method was developed and validated for 13 PFAS, following European Union Reference Laboratory for Persistent Organic Pollutants and Regulation (EU) 2022/1428 guidelines. Liver and muscle samples from pigs reared under controlled dietary conditions were analyzed. The method showed excellent linearity, precision, and trueness; the limit of quantification (LOQ) was 0.04 µg/kg for all matrices. The perfluorooctanesulfonic acid and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) were consistently detected in liver samples, whereas PFAS concentrations in the two muscle cuts remained mostly below the LOQ, with only occasional PFOA quantification in a subset of samples. None of the samples exceeded current EU maximum levels [Regulation (EU) 2023/915]. Our findings confirm a marked hepatic accumulation of PFAS and negligible contamination in muscle, showing the liver as a priority matrix for biomonitoring. Consumer exposure through pork muscle appears minimal, while offal consumption requires attention. These preliminary data contribute to defining risk-based control strategies in the pork production chain.