On January 14th, ChileCarne held a training session on the Comprehensive surveillance program for dioxins, furans, and PCBs (REP Program) at DSM-Firmenich’s plant in Puerto Varas. The company is dedicated to animal nutrition and feeding solutions and the training sought to reinforce and update knowledge on the risks associated with these contaminants and their control throughout the food chain.
Dioxins, furans, and PCBs are chemical pollutants found in the environment, known for their high toxicity and ability to bioaccumulate in the food chain, primarily in animal fat. International and national health regulations—including Chile’s—set limits for dioxins in food for human and animal consumption to protect public health.
The training was led by Simón Araya, head of animal nutrition and strategic projects at ChileCarne and coordinator of the REP Program. The format was hybrid, enabling participation by DSM-Firmenich teams from Chile, Mexico, Ecuador, Peru, and Costa Rica. The training covered the main pathways by which these contaminants enter food, their impact on human health, and the program’s requirements, scope, and results.
The Comprehensive surveillance program for dioxins, furans, and PCBs was created in 2009 by the pork and poultry sector to control the risk of contamination in meats produced in Chile. Its comprehensive approach covers the entire production chain, from raw materials to final products, and involves high-risk input suppliers, poultry and pig feed plants, feed mills, production facilities, and processing plants.
In 2025, the REP Program conducted 673 dioxin analyses of raw materials, complete foods, poultry, and pork, bringing the total to 9,333 analyses since its implementation. In 2025, it detected a batch of raw materials that exceeded the threshold established by Chilean regulations. Thanks to the program, the product did not enter the production chain, preventing risks to production and consumption.
Hence, the REP Program provides strong safety guarantees for poultry and pork produced in Chile to protect consumers’ health and help maintain open export markets, thereby demonstrating the national poultry and pork sector’s commitment to high health standards.
