FSA contaminants update May 2011

01 June 2011

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has issued a contaminants update bulletin sketching out the latest developments in contaminant regulation. It includes several seafood-related topics, including:

• Lead: Although seafood is not mentioned, a recent Opinion by the European Food Safety Agency (EFSA) recommended a reduction in the overall lead intake, especially by children.
• Arsenic: while sea fish inorganic arsenic is not considered an issue, uncertainty still remains on its potential presence in fresh water fish and bivalve molluscs.
• Cadmium: Revisions to limits are under way and the FSA is asking for data. The FSA is also gathering data on the consumption of brown crab meat in order to produce consumption guidance.
• Dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs): New proposed limits are shown. The FSA invited comments on the limits.
• Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs): A finalised draft amendment is presented containing a table with new maximum levels. Longer transition times will be allowed.

The full bulletin is available from the FSA website here: http://www.food.gov.uk/foodindustry/regulation/europeleg/euupdates/contaminantsmay2011