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Coordinate a CRP on Applications of Radiotracer and Radioassay Technologies to Seafood Safety Assessment
Closed for proposals
Project Type
Project Code
K41010CRP
1408Approved Date
Start Date
Expected End Date
Completed Date
16 October 2012Objectives
The broad objective of the CRP was to generate data on priority contaminants in seafood organisms with regard to human consumption, sale and export, and to assess the application and relevance of these experimentally-derived and field-based data to the management of these contaminants in seafood.
Specific objectives
Integration of current studies on the applications of nuclear techniques to the study of the bioaccumulation and food-chain transfer of contaminants in seafood, with risk management decisions in relation to the assessment of their suitability for human consumption and trade
The clear identification of the needs for scientific data on the bioaccumulation of priority contaminants in seafood through linkages with international standardisation bodies
The generation of data that are relevant to the management of contaminants in seafood through the application of radiotracer, radio-assay and related nuclear technologies.
Impact
This project was designed to generate data on priority contaminants in seafood with regard to human consumption, sale and export, and to assess the application and relevance of these experimentally derived and field-based data to the management of contaminants in seafood. The project successfully achieved its aims of i) applying radioisotope techniques to enhance understanding on the accumulation, transfer and bioavailability of contaminants (cadmium and harmful algal toxins) in seafood, ii) generating a quality-assured database on contaminants, especially cadmium levels in bivalves, using reference material IAEA-452 produced specifically for the project, and iii) presenting collected data to the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA). Partly on the basis of the data submitted by CRP participants, JECFA successfully re-evaluated the toxicology of cadmium and lead at its 73rd Meeting in June 2010. On the basis of the JECFA conclusions, the 5th Joint FAO/WHO Codex Committee on Contaminants in Foods (March 2011) agreed that no further follow-up was necessary and therefore, the maximum levels for cadmium in various foods contained in the Codex General Standard for Contaminants and Toxins in Food and Feed were confirmed and maintained.
Consequently to this work, the following issues emerged from the knowledge gained during the CRP:
Cu and Zn should be considered by CODEX as it is a contamination issue in several study aquaculture areas
Consider restricting commercialization of scallops excluding digestive gonads where Cd is mainly concentrated.
Relevance
In reviewing the objectives of the CRP, the participants confirmed that the CRP would optimally generate scientifically sound outputs and outcomes related to international standardization activities, including:
The generation of quality-assured field data on contaminant levels in target biota, using reference material.
The interpretation of data underpinned by mechanistic understandings, based on radio-assay/tracer experimental studies.
The potential consideration of data by JECFA to facilitate decision making on acceptable background levels in seafood and/or advice from JECFA on what additional data would be needed.
JECFA and/or related expert committee assessments of seafood contaminants based on the CRP data provided, leading to the potential establishment of Codex maximum levels in seafood