Nitrofen is an herbicide of the diphenyl ether class. Because of concerns about its carcinogenicity, the use of nitrofen has been banned in the European Union[1] and in the United States since 1996.[2] It has been superseded by related protoporphyrinogen oxidase enzyme inhibitors including acifluorfen and fomesafen.
In 2002, Nitrofen was detected in organic feed, organic eggs, and organic poultry products in Germany prompting a scandal which caused a decline in all organic meat sales in Europe.[3] [4]
Nitrofen is listed as an IARC Group 2B carcinogen, meaning it is "possibly carcinogenic to humans".[5]