Commission contemplates lower permitted cadmium levels

17 June 2011

The Commission is proposing changes to the maximum permitted levels of cadmium in several fish species. The proposed changes are for the maximum permitted levels of cadmium to be reduced in the following fish:

from 0.10 mg/kg to 0.05mg/kg:

• bonito (Sarda sarda)
• common two-banded sea bream (Diplodus vulgaris)
• eel (Anguilla anguilla)
• grey mullet (Mugil labrosus labrosus)
• horse mackerel or scad (Trachurus trachurus)
• louvar or luvar (Luvarus imperialis)
• sardinops (Sardinops species)
• skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis)
• wedge sole (Dicologlossa cuneata)

 from 0.20mg/kg to 0.15mg/kg:

• bullet tuna (Auxis species)

 from 0.3mg/kg to 0.25mg/kg (still under discussion on the basis of new data):

• swordfish (Xiphias gladius)

The proposals will be discussed in the Commission's working group in the autumn. They are likely to be ratified early in 2012 unless there is evidence (i.e. occurrence data) that would justify retaining the higher maximum cadmium levels currently applied to the species mentioned above.