What the study found
Home-produced eggs in Croatia had higher levels of measured per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) than commercial eggs, and cage eggs had the lowest levels. The study also found that the dietary contribution of the main PFAS measured was highest for young children, especially infants and toddlers consuming home-produced eggs.
Why the authors say this matters
The authors conclude that the findings indicate children up to nine years old are the most vulnerable to PFAS exposure from eggs, particularly when consuming home-produced eggs. They also state that consumers are advised to prefer cage eggs because these showed significantly lower exposure.
What the researchers tested
The researchers measured 30 PFAS compounds in eggs collected in Croatia. They compared commercially produced eggs, including cage, barn, and organic eggs, with home-produced eggs (eggs produced at home rather than by commercial farms), using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry.
What worked and what didn't
In home-produced eggs, PFOS, PFNA, PFDA, and PFDoDA were the PFAS most often detected above the limit of quantification, and PFOA was detected only in home-produced eggs. Home-produced eggs also had significantly higher mean lower-bound and upper-bound levels for all measured compounds and for the sum of four main PFAS, while cage eggs had the lowest lower-bound and upper-bound levels.
What to keep in mind
The abstract does not describe detailed limitations beyond the scope of eggs collected in Croatia and the specific PFAS measured. It also does not provide information on individual egg samples, sources of home production, or broader exposure beyond the dietary contribution estimate.
Key points
- Home-produced eggs had higher PFAS levels than commercial eggs in Croatia.
- Cage eggs showed the lowest PFAS levels and the lowest estimated exposure.
- PFOS, PFNA, PFDA, and PFDoDA were the most frequently detected PFAS in home-produced eggs.
- PFOA was detected only in home-produced eggs.
- The authors say children up to nine years old are the most vulnerable to exposure, especially infants and toddlers consuming home-produced eggs.
Disclosure
- Research title:
- Home-produced eggs had the highest PFAS levels in Croatia
- Authors:
- Nina Bilandžić, Ines Varga, Jelena Kaurinović, Bruno Čalopek, Mаја Đokić, Ivana Varenina, Božica Solomun Kolanović, Marija Sedak, Luka Cvetnić, Damir Pavliček, Elena Fattore
- Institutions:
- Croatian Veterinary Institute, College of Agriculture at Križevci, Mario Negri Institute for Pharmacological Research
- Publication date:
- 2026-03-05
- OpenAlex record:
- View
Get the weekly research newsletter
Stay current with peer-reviewed research without reading academic papers — one filtered digest, every Friday.