MID submits PFAS data to EFSA

We are pleased to announce that EFFOP (European fishmeal and fish oil producers) has successfully submitted a comprehensive dataset profiling Poly- and Perfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in fishmeal to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).

In direct response to EFSA’s “Call for continuous collection of chemical contaminants occurrence data in food and feed,” EFFOP has shared a robust dataset comprising data from 175 distinct fishmeal batches. We have engaged proactively with journalists, policy makers, scientists, and the public, fostering a comprehensive understanding of the implications surrounding PFAS contamination.

The significance of EFSA’s role in upholding food and feed safety cannot be overstated. The dataset shared by EFFOP will be a foundational resource for well-informed risk assessments, laying the groundwork for prudent risk management strategies concerning future PFAS levels in feed. Notably, EFFOP’s investigation stands as the most extensive of its kind to date in monitoring PFAS levels within fishmeal. This is particularly vital due to the dearth of comprehensive data, especially within the European context.

In essence, the data underscores that PFAS levels within European fishmeal exhibit strong context-specific variation, influenced by factors such as species and spatial-temporal dynamics. Noteworthy is the calculated average across the 175 samples, which stands at 4.6 ng/g, comfortably within the EU limit of 8 ng/g applicable to most marine fish species.

This data submission marks a significant stride forward in our ongoing efforts to comprehensively understand and mitigate the impact of PFAS in fishmeal. Through collective and diligent endeavours, we are actively shaping a more informed and responsible approach to addressing this challenge. As an additional quality parameter, PFAS levels are now routinely assessed for each fishmeal batch by producers and are available upon customer request.

For further information or inquiries, please do not hesitate to reach out to MID at Mid@maring.org