Radionuclides absent in Pacific fish

25 November 2011

The Standing Committee of the Food Chain and Animal Health (SCOFCAH), Toxicology Section, discussed the results of checks for radionuclides in Pacific fish. A Note to competent authorities issued by DG Sanco earlier this year had recommended member states carried out random checks for iodine-131, caesium-134 and caesium-137 on fish caught in the Pacific. It was revealed at the meeting that no radioactivity has been found so far in the majority of the 380 fish tested. A very small proportion showed a combined radionuclide content of below 10Bq/kg, which is well within the permitted limit of 500Bq/kg.

It is expected that the Commission will shortly issue a new Note to competent authorities recommending that the random testing of fish in the Pacific be restricted to migratory pelagic fish (such as tuna and swordfish) in FAO Major Fishing Area 61.