FDA investigates PFAS in seafood

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a request for information on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in seafood.

The FDA is seeking scientific data and information from the seafood industry, academia, state and federal agencies, and other interested entities, on PFAS concentrations in seafood, the surrounding environment and processing water, as well as mitigation strategies for reducing exposure to PFAS in seafood.

The FDA collects samples and tests for PFAS in the general food supply in a number of ways, including through the FDA’s Total Diet Study (TDS), which has been used since 2019. The testing indicates that seafood may be at higher risk for environmental PFAS contamination compared with other types of foods. In 2021 and 2022, to expand on the results from the TDS samples and evaluate potential exposure to PFAS from other seafood types, the FDA collected additional seafood samples and conducted surveys targeting the most commonly consumed seafood in the US. However, the data on PFAS in seafood are still limited for many other seafood types.

Addressing potential effects of PFAS exposure in humans is a priority for the FDA and is coordinated across several federal agencies.

Image credit: iStock.com/Dennis Wong