The American agency requests scientific data and information from the fishing industry and other interested parties on the concentrations of PFAS in seafood products, the surrounding environment and processing water. But how are we doing here?
The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a request for information regarding per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in seafood, to seek a range of scientific data and information from the seafood industry, academia, state and federal agencies, and other stakeholders on concentrations of PFAS in seafood, the surrounding environment and in the processing water.
For this reason, the American agency has been collecting samples and analyzing the presence of PFAS in the general food supply chain through various methods, including Total Diet Study (TDS), since 2019. The analyzes have indicated that seafood products may be at greater risk of contamination environmental impact from PFAS compared to other types of foods.
In 2021 and 2022, to expand the results obtained from the TDS and evaluate the risk of exposure to PFAS from other types of seafood products, the FDA collected additional samples and conducted targeted investigations on the most consumed seafood products in the United States, but the data on PFAS in seafood remain limited for many other types of fish and seafood.
The FDA highlights a significant risk of PFAS contamination in seafood products, considered more vulnerable than other foods. This highlights the need for up-to-date data and effective strategies to mitigate risks to our health. The data request indicates that there are still significant gaps in research on PFAS in seafood, particularly for some species.
But here with us?
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are synthetic chemical compounds used in numerous industrial processes and consumer products for their water- and oil-repellent properties. However, their persistence in the environment and ability to accumulate in living organisms raise significant concerns for human health and ecosystems. And our Veneto, unfortunately, knows well what we are talking about.
PFAS situation in Italy
In Italy, PFAS contamination has been detected in several regions, with particular attention to Venetoin fact, where one of the most serious episodes of PFAS pollution in the world was recorded. Contamination here affects drinking water, soil and local food chains.
Presence of PFAS in fish products
Fish products in particular are particularly susceptible to contamination by PFAS due to their ability to bioaccumulate these substances present in the aquatic environment. Recent studies have highlighted the presence of PFAS in various fish species in Italian waters.
A Greenpeace report has revealed alarming levels of PFOS in fish caught in Tuscany, with concentrations above safety limits.
We talked about it here: Fish flavored with PFAS, the new report that raises the alarm about the high levels of contamination in our seas
Furthermore, in September 2024, the Ministry of Health ordered the withdrawal from the market of some batches of branded cooked and shelled Pacific clams, precisely due to PFAS contamination beyond the permitted limits.
The rules in Italy
At European level, Regulation (EU) 2022/1428 establishes sampling and analysis methods for the control of PFAS in some food products, while Recommendation (EU) 2022/1431 invites Member States to monitor the presence of these substances in foods .
In Italy, the Ministry of Health has issued guidelines for the control of PFAS in foods, with particular attention to fish products, given their susceptibility to contamination.
But in our country we still need further research and more stringent measures to manage the impact of PFAS on human health and the environment. The FDA’s American experience can serve as a model for developing monitoring and mitigation strategies.
How to learn about PFAS
To delve deeper into the PFAS topic, the second season of the podcast is available “Hey Erica, let’s talk about PFAS?”, an initiative by Erica Srl that sheds light on these “eternal” pollutants. In eight episodes, the podcast explores the origins, health effects and challenges that PFAS pose to society, through interviews with experts and citizens.
In the final episode, our director Simona Falasca interviews Edoardo Slavik to discuss solutions and future prospects in the fight against this growing threat.
You can listen to “Hey Erica” on all major streaming platforms, including Spotify.
