|
The black kidney should be removed before consuming the rest of the mussel. Photo courtesy of NIFES |
THE Norwegian National Institute of Nutrition and Seafood Research (NIFES) has analysed the content of cadmium and lead in scallops and horse mussels harvested in Norwegian waters. The results show levels above EU’s maximum limits when analysing the digestive gland of the scallop and the kidney of the horse mussel.
Shell feed by filtering seawater. During this process, they may take up particles which contain contaminants.
NIFES analysis indicates that scallops contain little lead. The quantity of lead (0.02 - 0.08 mg/kg) is well below EU’s maximum limits of 1.5 mg/kg.
However, analysis showed that the cadmium content (3.7 - 8.4 mg/kg) exceeded EU’s maximum limits if the entire shell content was measured, but that most of this was found in the digestive gland.
If the shell content is measured after the removal of the digestive gland, the cadmium levels were below EU’s maximum limits.
The amount of cadmium in muscle and gonad (0.11-0.75 mg/kg) was below EU’s maximum permitted level of 1 mg/kg.
In Norway, it is usually these parts that are used for consumption.
Horse mussels are less well known than scallops, and are often served as a delicacy.
Most of the cadmium in the horse mussels analysed was in the kidneys and not in the digestive gland, as with the scallop.
The levels of cadmium in the horse mussels varied from 0.35 to 1.5 mg/kg and the highest levels were found in the largest and oldest shells.
If the kidneys are removed, the level of cadmium in these shells are also well under EU’s maximum limits of 1.0 mg/kg.
The concentration of lead in the horse mussels sampled was between 1.4 and 6.6 mg/kg.
More than 90% of the lead present in the horse mussel samples was found in the kidney.
This organ is the only organ which is black in colour.
The Norwegian Food Safety Authority’s has given a dietary advice for the consumption of scallops and horse mussels.
The food authority recommends the removal of the dietary gland in scallops and the kidney in horse mussels before consumption.
www.fishupdate.com is published by Special Publications. Special Publications also publish FISHupdate magazine, Fish Farmer, the Fish Industry Yearbook, the Scottish Seafood Processors Federation Diary, the Fish Farmer Handbook and a range of wallplanners.
Should fisheries be closed during breeding time to allow stocks to reach more sustainable levels?
- 19 - 20 May, 2010
AquacultureUK2010
- Bluefin Tuna ban creates international div...
- Aberdeen to get powerful new trawler
- Thousands flock to Boston Seafood expo
- Grimsby fish box company changes hands
- Shock as British Seafood Group goes into a...
- Uncertain outlook for fish supplies - report
- Iceland fish group denies British Seafood...
- More halibut on way to UK as Alaska season...
- British Seafood crisis deepens
- Fusion Marine wins major orders from Scott...
