This report provides a review of the current evidence on chemical contaminants in wild-caught fisheries products from Scottish and wider UK waters. It evaluates the occurrence of a wide range of contaminants, both regulated as well as new and emerging.
Contaminants in scope of this review are:
- heavy metals (mercury, cadmium, lead and arsenic)
- processing contaminants & polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)
- dioxins/furans
- polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)
- per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFASs)
- brominated flame retardants (BFRs), BTEX compounds (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes)
- veterinary drug residues
- pesticides
- naturally occurring or produced compounds (e.g. histamine, microcystins and marine biotoxins)
- active pharmaceutical ingredients (e.g. painkillers, anti-depressants)
- personal care products (phenols, phthalates, and parabens
- microplastics
Contaminants were detected across all species tested, with oily and predatory fish such as mackerel, herring, sea bass, and sprats showing the highest concentrations. Most results were below MPLs, with some exceedances found for cadmium in crab and scallops, lead in mussels, mercury in sea bass, and PAH4 in smoked products such as Arbroath smokies and smoked salmon. PFAS compounds exceeded EU MPLs in several species including cod, crab, and gurnard. Emerging contaminants such as PBDEs, PCNs, and PXDD/Fs, were also identified for which there are currently no MPLs. Microplastics were found in a range of species and detection of pharmaceuticals in edible tissues was limited.
This research adds to existing evidence on chemical contaminant levels in wild-caught fisheries products. Food Standards Scotland will use the data from this report alongside other evidence to review monitoring and target areas of established or emerging interest.