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The European Commission has put on hold plans to increase maximum authorised mercury level in fish

(03.12.2018)


Background:
Methylmercury is a potent toxin and is able to cross the placenta as well as the blood-brain and blood-cerebrospinal fluid barriers. Critical targets for toxicity includes the kidney, liver, nervous system, immune system, reproductive and developmental system. Fish is the main source of methylmercury exposure for humans of all ages in Europe. The mercury content in these commodities varies widely among different fish species, and is in general higher in predatory fish such as shark and swordfish. Currently, the maximum authorised level of mercury is set at one milligram per kilogram of fish and the Commission had planned on doubling this to two mg/kg.

The new decision:
According to Foodwatch, the Commission's reason for plans to raise the maximum mercury level was purely economic. The current mercury limit is surpassed by 50% of large predatory fish, that therefore cannot be brought to the market. Foodwatch had organized an online petition against such plans that was signed by more than 80,000  citizen of Germany and the Netherlands.

Photo: Swordfish is often highly contaminated with mercury above the current
maximum authorised level

As the report from the meeting clearly indicated, Member State welcomed that the maximum levels for mercury in shark and swordfish will remain at the existing level. The Commission also stressed the importance of consumption advice related to mercury in fish in order to fully achieve the beneficial effects of fish consumption, whilst limiting the risk of mercury toxicity.




Related information

EUR-Lex: Maximum levels for mercury in certain foods have been established by Commission Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006 (see Section 3.3 of the Annex).

EUR-Lex: Provisions for methods of sampling and analysis for the official control of lead, cadmium, mercury, inorganic tin, 3-MCPD and benzo(a)pyrene in foodstuffs are laid down in Commission Regulation (EC) No 333/2007.

EFSA: Scientific Opinion on the risk for public health related to the presence of mercury and methylmercury in Food






Related EVISA Resources


Link Database: Mercury exposure through the diet
Link Database: Environmental cycling of methylmercury
Link Database: Environmental cycling of inorganic mercury
Link Database: Environmental pollution of methylmercury
Link Database: Environmental pollution of inorganic mercury
Link Database: Toxicity of mercury 
Brief summary: Chemical speciation analysis for nutrition and food science


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September 8, 2009: Inorganic Mercury Level in US Women increases
August 21, 2009: USGS Study Reveals Mercury Contamination in Fish Nationwide
June 17, 2009: 'Surprisingly High Levels' of Methylmercury Contamination found in Groundwater
May 3, 2009: Ocean mercury on the rise
February 11, 2009: Mercury in Fish is a Global Health Concern
March 11, 2007: Methylmercury contamination of fish warrants worldwide public warning
February 18, 2007: New research results suggest that mercury hotspots in the northeastern US are home made
October 9, 2006: Linking atmospheric mercury to methylmercury in fish
September 23, 2006: Report Finds Mercury Contamination Permeates Wildlife Systems
August 16, 2006: Mercury pollution threatens health worldwide, scientists say
June 16, 2006: Sulfur fuels the methylation of mercury
February 17, 2006: Study shows link between clear lakes and methylmercury contamination in fish
February 9, 2006: Study show high levels of mercury in women related to fish consumption
September 13, 2005: Regulating Mercury Emissions from Power Plants: Will It Protect Our Health?
April 3, 2005: Dissension on the best way to fight mercury pollution
March 20, 2005: New results on the distribution of mercury in the USA is fueling the discussion on the necessity of the reduction of its emission
January 12, 2005: Number of fish meals is a good predictor for the mercury found in hair of environmental journalists
November 23, 2004:  Is the methylmercury paradox real ?
April 27, 2004: FDA/EPA recommends pregnant women to restrict their fish consumption because of methylmercury content


last time modified: November 27, 2023




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