Scientific Opinion on health benefits of seafood (fish and shellfish) consumption in relation to health risks associated with exposure to methylmercury

Abstract

Following a request from the European Commission to address the risks and benefits as regards fish/seafood consumption related to relevant beneficial substances (e.g. nutrients such as n‐3 long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acids) and the contaminant methylmercury, the Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA) was asked to deliver a Scientific Opinion on health benefits of seafood consumption in relation to health risks associated with exposure to methylmercury. In the present Opinion, the NDA Panel has reviewed the role of seafood in European diets and evaluated the beneficial effects of seafood consumption in relation to health outcomes and population subgroups that have been identified by the FAO/WHO Joint Expert Consultation on the Risks and Benefits of Fish Consumption and/or the EFSA Panel on Contaminants in the context of a risk assessment related to the presence of mercury and methylmercury in food as relevant for the assessment. These included the effects of seafood consumption during pregnancy on functional outcomes of children's neurodevelopment and the effects of seafood consumption on cardiovascular disease risk in adults. The Panel concluded that consumption of about 1‐2 servings of seafood per week and up to 3‐4 servings per week during pregnancy has been associated with better functional outcomes of neurodevelopment in children compared to no consumption of seafood. Such amounts have also been associated with a lower risk of coronary heart disease mortality in adults and are compatible with current intakes and recommendations in most of the European countries considered. These associations refer to seafood per se andinclude beneficial and adverse effects of nutrients and non‐nutrients (i.e. including contaminants such as methylmercury) contained in seafood. No additional benefits on neurodevelopmental outcomes and no benefit on coronary heart disease mortality risk might be expected at higher intakes.

Scientific Opinion on the extension of use for DHA and EPA-rich algal oil fromSchizochytriumsp. as a Novel Food ingredient

“…The Panel also notes that although blood biomarkers of EPA and DHA (e.g. in total plasma, plasma phospholipids, and red blood cell (RBC) membranes) have the advantage of being objective measurements and, unlike dietary estimates of DHA and EPA intake, are not subject to recall or reporting bias, they do not only reflect intakes of DHA and EPA, but also their absorption, metabolism and incorporation into plasma fractions, cells or tissues (which is determined by genetic background and health/disease status), as well as the intakes of other fatty acids in the diet, particularly if expressed as a percentage of total fatty acids (EFSA NDA Panel, 2014). Therefore, the Panel considers that prospective cohort studies which have investigated the relationship between EPA and DHA intakes and risk of prostate cancer may provide the most robust evidence in relation to a role of EPA and DHA in the development of prostate cancer.…”

Statement on the benefits of fish/seafood consumption compared to the risks of methylmercury in fish/seafood

“…As the EFSA Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain (CONTAM) had adopted a scientific opinion on the risk for public health related to the presence of mercury and methylmercury in food (EFSA CONTAM Panel, 2012) the month before, the mandate was given to the EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA) who evaluated the beneficial effects of fish/seafood consumption in relation to health outcomes (effect of fish/seafood consumption during pregnancy on functional outcomes of children's neurodevelopment and the effects of fish/seafood consumption on cardiovascular diseases in adults) (EFSA NDA Panel, 2014). Statement on the benefits of fish/seafood consumption compared to the risks of methylmercury in fish/seafood.…”

Mercury concentration in bivalve molluscs

“…Toxicity of mercury is well known. The main sources of this toxic metal in human diet are fish and seafood (1,7,8). The safety of consumers is provided by legislation setting the maximum levels of mercury in food.…”

“…Mercury and especially its organic forms may disturb enzymatic reactions and cause destruction of cells which accumulate this element in large quantities (1,3,8,9). Various mechanisms of mercury action can lead to dysfunction of the central nervous system and numerous developmental disorders (1,5,7,8,26).…”

“…It should be mentioned that bivalve farming is one of economically important aquaculture branches for such countries as Spain, France, Denmark and Italy, where seafood consumption is considerable. Given the fact that most of bivalve species are filter feeders, they can accumulate in their tissues such environmental contaminants as pesticides, dioxins, and toxic metals, which may pose a threat to the health of consumers (7,13).…”