ABSTRACT
Abbreviations.......................................................................................................................... 388 References............................................................................................................................... 390
11.1 Introduction 11.1.1 General Remarks As defined by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are “chemical substances that persist in the environment, bioaccumulate through the food web, and pose a risk of causing adverse effects to human health and the environment” [1]. Although many POPs are already strictly regulated or are no longer in production, they are found in the environment and can enter the food chain mainly through the intake of animal fats (meat, fish, and milk) [2]. e measurement of POPs in food and, in particular, in products of animal origin is particularly important for the protection of human health. Maximum residue limits (MRLs) for some POPs (organochlorine pesticides) in a variety of food commodities were established by the European Union (EU), thus making necessary the development of sensitive methods to analyze these pollutants in food.
