Canada’s Health Minister, Ujjal Dosanjh, and Fisheries and Oceans Minister, Geoff Regan, are attempting to reassure Canadians that both wild and farmed fish sold in Canada are safe to consume, despite recent media reports suggesting higher health risks associated with farmed fish.
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A study published in the American journal Environmental Science and Technology earlier this month found higher levels, on average, of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), chemical fire retardants, in farmed salmon than in wild salmon. The authors of the study concluded that frequent consumption of farmed salmon is more likely to raise exposure to PBDEs than wild salmon.
“Health Canada has been monitoring the levels of contaminants, such as PBDEs, PCBs and others, in many kinds of foods, including fish for many years,” said Dosanjh. “Based on the information currently available, the levels of PBDEs detected in fish sold in Canada do not pose a risk to human health.”
Health Canada said that to date, there have been no studies that link PBDE levels contained in food to any effects on human health. Previous studies conducted on animals suggested adverse effects related to PBDEs, but these studies involved exposure to levels that were over a million times higher than that currently found in foods, including fish.
“I am concerned that recent media reports might lead Canadians to reduce their farmed salmon consumption out of health concerns,” said Regan. “I want to assure Canadians that the farmed salmon industry is carefully regulated by the Government of Canada for human health and environmental impacts. Both the farmed salmon and wild salmon industries provide safe and extremely healthy products for Canadians.”
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