Posted by Larry Hoover on November 20, 2002, at 12:16:32
In reply to Fish Oils contain DDT and PCB's, posted by oracle on November 20, 2002, at 11:26:46
> DDT and PCBs in cod liver oil
> Recent collaborative studies have been carried out by Greenpeace Research Laboratories at Exeter University (UK) to analyse twenty two samples of fish oil. Seventeen of the samples (mostly cod liver oil) were obtained over the counter, marked as dietary supplements. This is apparently the first time that fish oils from retail outlets have been subject to independent scrutiny.The British Government has a food surveillance program that is unparalled elsewhere. They have been analyzing retail fish oils since 1994. I consider them to be independent. Their most recent report is at:
http://www.foodstandards.gov.uk/multimedia/pdfs/26diox.pdf
The Canadian government monitors bulk commodity imports of fish oil. Fish oil is a commodity, just like pork bellies. DDT, dioxins etc. are monitored. See:
http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/anima/feebet/dioxe.shtml
> Twenty one of the samples were found to contain detectable residues of organochlorine pesticides including DDT and lindane, PCBs and hexachlorobenzene (HCB). Highest contamination involved PCBs. DDT was found in nearly all samples [at levels up to 148 µg/litre (parts per billion)] which are all below the limit specified by the US Food and Drug Administration. However, in the UK there are no specific limits set for pesticide residues for fish oils. The FAO Codex Alimentarius, (the international body which establishes maximum residue levels) appears to contain no recommendations for limits on organochlorine pesticides in fish oils, although oils derived from fish and marine mammals are recognised as a commodity group.
> Greenpeace say that under certain circumstances, such as for therapeutic purposes, fish oil could contribute significantly to the dietary intake of PCBs and organochlorine pesticides. In addition, since the substances analysed in this research only form part of the possible persistent organochlorine pollutants in fish oil, other chemicals such as chlorinated dioxins, toxaphene, chlordane and heptachlor should be included in future in order to asses the full scope of the problem.
>
> MN Jacobs and PA Johnston, Greenpeace Research Laboratories, University of Exeter, EX4 4QE.I do not mean to trivialize this issue, as it is very important to health, but I am an environmental toxicologist who has followed these issues closely for a number of years.
The science clearly shows that people who have higher levels of intake of fish and fish products have better health outcomes than those who avoid these products or who have lower levels of intake. All such studies have involved contaminated fish, because all fish are contaminated. Notwithstanding the contamination, you are healthier eating fish and/or fish products than not. Epidemiology looks at real people in real-life situations, and the real-life situation is that our food supply is contaminated.
Fish happens to contain nutrients which counteract much of the toxic burden.If you look closely at any food product which contains fat, it will be contaminated by PCBs, dioxins, furans, organochlorine pesticides, and any other fat-soluble man-made chemical you can think of. I know, because I have looked. Your McDonalds hamburger is contaminated. Your cookies. Your eggs.
Singling out particular food products for scrutiny is a useful tactic (and I do mean tactic) because there are things that industry can do to limit the exposure. Your fish oils are cleaner today because the British ministry MAFF looked at the issue nearly a decade ago.
I do appreciate the intention behind Greenpeace's policy. I do work for non-profit environmental organizations exclusively. I provide the scientific evidence for policy decisions made by a similar NGO. Nevertheless, there is something in this news release that smacks of sensationalization. We don't need another "Alar in apples" non-issue blown completely out of proportion by fear-mongering.
<opinionated response mode off>
Lar
poster:Larry Hoover
thread:128460
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20021116/msgs/128470.html