Arsenic in food and feed can be dangerous. A recent study by Matís shows that 50-90% of arsenic in fishmeal is safe. Matís has recently been working on a research project funded by AVS and aims to develop chemical analysis methods that can distinguish between toxic and harmless chemical forms of arsenic in fishmeal.
The research has now been going on for a year and a new chemical analysis method has been developed that measures the amount of water-soluble and water-insoluble arsenic compounds. The results show that almost all the arsenic in fishmeal that is in water-soluble form is bound in arsenobetanide, which is safe. It can therefore be assumed that up to 90% of the total arsenic concentration is safe.
Arsenic, which is well known as both a toxin and a carcinogen, is found naturally in high concentrations in seafood. Arsenic, on the other hand, is bound in different chemical species, some of which are toxic and harmful to human health while others are harmless. Current regulations on maximum levels of arsenic in food and feed in Europe only take into account the total concentration of arsenic in feed, even though up to 50-90% of arsenic in seafood is safe.
In this research project, the total concentration of arsenic in different types of fishmeal in different seasons has been measured. The results show that the total concentration varies between species and a certain seasonal difference has also been found in fishmeal of the same type, for example for fishmeal produced from blue whiting. Further measurements are needed to confirm whether there is also a seasonal difference between herring and capelin meal. The blue whiting also differs from the capelin and herring in that its total concentration often turns out to be within the maximum permitted values. There, a revision of regulations that would take into account the concentration of toxic and safe chemical forms instead of the total concentration would have a lot to say, as most of the arsenic in blue whiting has been found to be in a safe chemical form. The high value of the total arena can have the effect that buyers of fishmeal want to cancel purchase agreements or negotiate a reduced price. The development of chemical analysis methods to identify both toxic and non-hazardous chemical forms of arsenic in fishmeal instead of the total amount as is done today is therefore an important factor in defending the interests of one of the nation's basic industries and ensuring the value of Icelandic fishmeal.
The research is carried out in collaboration with Síldarvinnslan hf. and Vinnslustöðin hf. and received a grant from AVS in 2008.
For further information, please contact Hrönn Ólína Jörundsdóttir, hronn.o.jorundsdottir@matis.is.