The US FDA Announces The Results Of PFAS Detection in Seafood

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has released the results of testing for perfluorinated and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in retail seafood samples.

The FDA conducted this limited investigation as a preliminary step to determine whether a more targeted or larger seafood investigation should be conducted. The FDA tested 81 samples of clams, cod, crab, cod, salmon, shrimp, tuna and tilapia, most of which were imported into the United States. Using the best available science and technology, the FDA has separately evaluated detected PFAS of toxicological reference value. The FDA determined that the estimated exposure to perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in canned clam samples from China could be a health concern. For the two canned clam samples with the highest PFOA content, consumers who consume more than approximately 10 ounces of clams per month may have potential health problems, except for young children, who should limit their consumption to 2 ounces per month.

Studies have shown that PFOA exposure is associated with several serious health consequences, including developmental effects, changes in liver function, weakened immune responses, and increased cancer in some types. The levels of the other types of PFAS assessed in clams, as well as in all other seafood samples, are unlikely to be health concerns. The FDA is working to determine the levels of PFOA and PFAS in imported canned clams and to take steps to ensure the continued safety of the U.S. food supply.

After learning of the FDA's test results on their products, both distributors of the two samples with the highest levels of PFOA took proactive action to protect consumers. One of the companies announced a voluntary recall of all products that conform to the Universal Product Code (UPC), which can be found under the barcode on the back of the package. In addition, a second company has also committed to a voluntary recall of their canned clam products, which were included in FDA testing.

The FDA is actively working with all canned clam distributors that sample their products to better understand potential contamination sources, which may help these companies take action to reduce consumer exposure to PFOA from their products, for example by reducing PFOA levels in canned clams through product sourcing. The U.S. FDA will also test imported clams and take appropriate action. In addition, the agency plans to conduct more extensive testing of imported and domestically harvested canned and fresh clams to better understand PFAS levels and thus determine the best ways to protect public health.