Salmon toxic food
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Toxic Contaminants in Salmon: A Comprehensive Review
Introduction to Salmon Toxicity Concerns
Salmon, a popular seafood choice, has been under scrutiny due to potential toxic contaminants. These contaminants can pose significant health risks to consumers. This article synthesizes research findings on various toxic substances found in both farmed and wild salmon, including heavy metals, persistent organic pollutants, and biotoxins.
Heavy Metals in Salmon
Mercury, Cadmium, and Lead
Heavy metals such as mercury, cadmium, and lead are common contaminants in fish. A study on Turkish farmed salmon revealed that while these metals were present, their levels were below the permissible values, indicating a negligible carcinogenic risk to consumers3. Similarly, a long-term study on Norwegian farmed Atlantic salmon showed a decrease in mercury and arsenic levels over a 13-year period, suggesting improved safety in recent years1.
Iron, Zinc, and Copper
Essential metals like iron, zinc, and copper, although necessary for human health, can be harmful in excessive amounts. The Turkish salmon study found that these metals were the most abundant but still within safe consumption limits3.
Persistent Organic Pollutants
Dioxins and PCBs
Dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are persistent organic pollutants that can accumulate in fish. Research on Norwegian farmed salmon indicated a significant reduction in these contaminants from 1999 to 2011, allowing for safer consumption levels1. However, another study highlighted that farmed salmon, particularly from Europe, still have higher levels of these contaminants compared to wild salmon4.
Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs)
PBDEs, used as flame retardants, are another group of concerning contaminants. Studies have shown that farmed salmon have higher PBDE levels than wild salmon, with European farmed salmon having the highest levels4. These contaminants can affect fish health and increase susceptibility to diseases7.
Biotoxins in Salmon
Paralytic Shellfish Toxins (PSTs)
Paralytic shellfish toxins (PSTs) are produced by certain algae and can accumulate in marine organisms, including salmon. An incident in the Bay of Fundy linked PSTs to significant salmon mortalities, although the affected salmon were deemed safe for human consumption2. Further research indicated that PSTs could induce detoxifying enzymes in salmon, suggesting a biological response to these toxins6.
Histamine and Ciguatoxins
Histamine fish poisoning, although more common in other fish species, can also affect salmon. Proper handling and refrigeration are crucial to prevent histamine buildup5. Ciguatoxins, responsible for ciguatera fish poisoning, are less commonly associated with salmon but pose a significant risk in other fish species9.
Conclusion
The research indicates that while there are various toxic contaminants in salmon, improvements in farming practices and regulatory measures have reduced the levels of many harmful substances. Consumers should remain informed about the sources of their seafood and adhere to recommended consumption guidelines to minimize health risks. Continued monitoring and research are essential to ensure the safety of salmon and other seafood products.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic
Contaminant levels in Norwegian farmed Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) in the 13-year period from 1999 to 2011.
Norwegian farmed Atlantic salmon's contaminant levels generally decreased between 1999 and 2011, allowing safe consumption of up to 1.3kg per week, with dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs being the limiting factor.
Observational Study
Rigorous Journal
Highly CitedParalytic shellfish toxins in zooplankton, mussels, lobsters and caged Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar, during a bloom of Alexandrium fundyense off Grand Manan Island, in the Bay of Fundy
A bloom of Alexandrium fundyense in the Bay of Fundy led to high paralytic shellfish toxin levels in zooplankton, mussels, and lobsters, causing significant mortality in Atlantic salmon aquaculture.
Farmed Turkish salmon: Toxic metals and health threat
Turkish salmon contains no hazardous trace elements and their cumulative effects were not indicated in the hazardous index, indicating no carcinogenic risk for consumers.
Global assessment of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in farmed and wild salmon.
Farm-raised salmon have higher levels of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) than wild salmon, with European and North American farm-raised salmon having higher levels than Chilean farm-raised salmon.
Observational StudyHighly CitedHistamine fish poisoning revisited.
Histamine fish poisoning (HFP) is a mild disease with variable histamine concentrations in spoiled fish, and rapid cooling and adequate refrigeration are crucial for ensuring food safety and international trade.
Highly CitedParalytic shellfish poisoning toxins induce xenobiotic metabolising enzymes in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar).
Induction of xenobiotic metabolising enzymes in Atlantic salmon suggests a potential role for XMEs in paralytic shellfish poisoning toxin metabolism.
Non-RCT
Animal StudyDisease susceptibility of salmon exposed to polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs).
Juvenile Chinook salmon exposed to PBDEs may be at greater risk for disease, while salmon fed a 10x PBDE diet showed no increased susceptibility to Listonella anguillarum.
Non-RCTAnimal StudyHighly CitedCharacterization of the mercury-binding proteins in tuna and salmon sashimi: Implications for health risk of mercury in food.
Beta-actin is a novel mercury-binding protein in edible fish, increasing human exposure to mercury after gastrointestinal digestion.
Global impact of ciguatoxins and ciguatera fish poisoning on fish, fisheries and consumers.
Ciguatoxins, produced by microalgae, have significant impacts on fisheries and food safety, with more than 400 species potentially vectors, affecting local economies and causing food-borne illnesses.
Literature ReviewSalmonella, Food Safety and Food Handling Practices
Salmonella contamination in food is mainly associated with poultry, cattle, and their feeds, but more stringent controls are needed to prevent its spread.
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