PFAS found in backyard chicken eggs in France

An investigation by the investigation unit of Radio France and the ICI network has revealed that a significant proportion of eggs from backyard chicken coops in France contain PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, known as "eternal pollutants." Out of 91 eggs analyzed by the ICI network and the Labocéa laboratory, 57% contain PFAS, with 23 samples exceeding European regulatory thresholds.

Contamination source identified

The contamination occurs as chickens scratch soil polluted by chemical plants, fire-fighting foams, airports, incinerators, or sewage treatment plants. These chemicals, known for their persistence in the environment, have been accumulating in soils for decades through industrial activities and other human practices.

Health warnings issued in Paris region

Since 2023, the Île-de-France Regional Health Agency has recommended avoiding eggs from backyard chicken coops in 410 communes, especially for children and pregnant or breastfeeding women. The investigation involved 44 local editorial offices of the ICI network collecting eggs from free-range chickens between February and June 2026.

High PFAS levels in some samples

The results showed that 52 of the 91 tested eggs contained PFAS, with two samples showing extremely high levels—one in the Ardennes and another in the Rhône. One sample from a family chicken coop in Haraucourt, in the Ardennes, reached 40.1 micrograms per kilogram for the sum of four PFAS sought, while a sample from Pierre-Bénite, in the Rhône, reached 16.3 micrograms per kilogram, about ten times the allowed standard.

European regulations on PFAS in food

The European limit for eggs sold is 1.7 micrograms per kilogram for the sum of PFOS, PFOA, PFNA, and PFHxS, with no more than 1 microgram per kilogram for PFOS alone. These limits are in place to protect public health from the potential risks of exposure to these persistent chemicals.

Study not a general warning

The authors of the investigation emphasized that the 91 samples do not represent the entire French egg production and that the findings are not a generalized alert but a signal to be taken seriously, especially in the most exposed areas. The Île-de-France Regional Health Agency's recommendation to avoid consuming eggs from backyard chicken coops in the Paris urban area applies primarily to children, pregnant women, and breastfeeding women.

Polluted soil affects local food

Soils contaminated for decades by industrial activities have led to the presence of PFAS in chicken eggs. Chickens become contaminated by scratching the ground, pecking at insects in the soil impregnated with PFAS, and sometimes drinking water from polluted wells.

Case study in Saint-Symphorien-d’Ozon

The case of Saint-Symphorien-d’Ozon, in the Rhône, illustrates this phenomenon. The commune, located downstream of a notorious chemical corridor, has been the subject of investigations since 2022. This investigation into eggs is a continuation of an earlier study conducted in September 2024 on tap water, which had already revealed the presence of PFAS in 43% of the 89 communes tested.

Need for awareness and adaptation

The investigation invites a rethinking of the management of polluted soils and encourages adapting habits according to the area where one lives. The results leave little room for doubt, highlighting the discretion with which these eternal pollutants circulate in daily life.