Brominated chemicals in farmed and wild fish and shellfish and fish oil dietary supplements
Friday 17 February 2006
Food Survey Information Sheet 04/06
In order to allow the dietary intake of brominated chemicals from fish and fisheries products to be estimated, composite samples of 48 species of farmed and wild fish and shellfish consumed in the UK, together with ten samples of fish oil dietary supplements, were analysed for brominated dioxins, polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs) and brominated flame retardants (BFRs).
Some of the flame retardants were detected in all of the fish species analysed, with the highest concentrations generally being found in dogfish, eels and sprats. Other compounds were detected less frequently or not at all. The results are considered to be of low concern for health and do not affect the Agency's current advice on fish consumption.
Key facts
This work was carried out following an increasing number of reports of brominated flame retardants (BFRs) and occasional reports of brominated dioxins being found in fish.
Brominated dioxins, polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs) and BFRs (polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDs) and tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBP-A) were analysed in composite samples of 48 fish and shellfish and 10 samples of fish oil dietary supplements. These included farmed and wild oily fish and white fish, shellfish, canned fish and fish paste, and supplements based on cod liver, halibut liver, shark liver, salmon and tuna oils.
Certain PBDEs were present in most or all of the samples analysed, the most abundant congeners being PBDEs 28, 47, 49, 66, 99, 100, 153 and 154. HBCDs and PBBs were detected less frequently (alpha-HBCD being the most abundant) and brominated dioxins only occasionally. TBBP-A was not found above the limit of detection in any samples.
Based on the results of this survey, the independent expert Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment concluded that the estimated exposure to brominated compounds by consumers following the Food Standards Agency's advice on fish consumption was unlikely to represent a risk to health and there was no need for the Agency to amend its advice on fish consumption.
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