Food Safety
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Food Safety
  • NEWS
    • Latest News
    • White Papers
  • PRODUCTS
  • TOPICS
    • Contamination Control
    • Food Types
    • Management
    • Process Control
    • Regulatory
    • Sanitation
    • Supply Chain
    • Testing and Analysis
  • PODCAST
  • EXCLUSIVES
    • Food Safety Five Newsreel
    • eBooks
    • FSM Distinguished Service Award
    • Interactive Product Spotlights
    • Videos
  • BUYER'S GUIDE
  • MORE
    • ENEWSLETTER >
      • Archive Issues
      • Subscribe to eNews
    • Store
    • Sponsor Insights
  • WEBINARS
  • FOOD SAFETY SUMMIT
  • EMAG
    • eMagazine
    • Archive Issues
    • Editorial Advisory Board
    • Contact
    • Advertise
  • SIGN UP!
NewsSeafood

WHO Requesting Data on Heavy Metals in Fish

orange fish
July 27, 2021

The World Health Organization (WHO) and Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is requesting data on methylmercury and total mercury in fish, specifically orange roughy, pink cusk-eel, and all toothfish. 

From May 3–13, 2021, the 14th Session of the Codex Committee on Contaminants in Foods was held virtually, and the committee agreed to start working on maximum levels (MLs) for methylmercury in orange roughy and pink cuskeel, and to re-establish the Electronic Working Group (EWG) led by New Zealand and Canada. The EWG will develop MLs and associated sampling plans for consideration by the next committee session, in 2022. The EWG will also consider further data to establish the feasibility of setting an ML for Patagonian toothfish. 

All new data must be submitted to WHO through the Global Environment Monitoring System (GEMS) database.

When submitting data to the GEMS/Food database for this work, please do the following: 

  • Provide complete information on the limit of quantification and limit of detection of analytical methods
  • Provide information in the "Local Food Identifier" or "remark/references" fields of the database to allow more specific identification of samples (e.g., is a food fresh or processed, including canned, preserved, salted, etc.) 
  • Provide information on "State of Food Analyzed," for example, if cooked or raw, and on the “portion analyzed,” including the fat content, dry weight, as is or as consumed
  • Provide information for both methylmercury and total mercury and indicate if these form a paired analysis
  • Ideally provide information from at least two locations in representative fishery areas; provide information whether it is domestically caught fish or imported fish

The committee is requesting submission of new or additional data on these fish that have not previously been submitted, and the submitted data should cover approximately the last 12 years. Data should be submitted by October 15, 2021, to allow time for data analysis and drafting and review of the paper. 

KEYWORDS: Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO) World Health Organization

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
to unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • people holding baby chicks

    Serovar Differences Matter: Utility of Deep Serotyping in Broiler Production and Processing

    This article discusses the significance of Salmonella in...
    Methods
    By: Nikki Shariat Ph.D.
  • woman washing hands

    Building a Culture of Hygiene in the Food Processing Plant

    Everyone entering a food processing facility needs to...
    Personal Hygiene/Handwashing
    By: Richard F. Stier, M.S.
  • graphical representation of earth over dirt

    Climate Change and Emerging Risks to Food Safety: Building Climate Resilience

    This article examines the multifaceted threats to food...
    Best Practices
    By: Maria Cristina Tirado Ph.D., D.V.M. and Shamini Albert Raj M.A.
Manage My Account
  • eMagazine Subscription
  • Subscribe to eNewsletter
  • Manage My Preferences
  • Website Registration
  • Subscription Customer Service

More Videos

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to the Food Safety Magazine audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company and any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily reflect the views of Food Safety Magazine or its parent company, BNP Media. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep!

close
  • mold
    Sponsored byIFC

    Tackling Mold Remediation in Food Processing Plants

  • a worker in a food processing plant
    Sponsored byLPS® DETEX®

    How a Beverage Facility Improved Food Safety and Compliance with Detectable Packaging Solutions

  • Two men standing in a produce storage facility having a discussion.
    Sponsored byOrkin Commercial

    Staying Compliant With FSMA

Popular Stories

carton of dozen brown eggs

Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Eggs Ends With One Dead, 38 Hospitalized

close-up macaroni noodles with FDA logo overlay

FDA to Revoke 52 ‘Obsolete and Unnecessary’ Standards of Identity for Food Products

blue iced donuts next to pie of sugar with blue written in it

FDA Authorizes Use of Fourth ‘Natural’ Food Dye, Gardenia Blue

Events

July 22, 2025

Beyond the Binder: Digital Management of Food Safety

Live: July 22, 2025 at 3:00 pm EDT: During this webinar, attendees will learn best practices for the use of digital food safety management systems across industry and regulatory agencies.

August 7, 2025

Achieve Active Managerial Control of Major Risk Factors Using a Food Safety Management System

Live: August 7, 2025 at 2:00 pm EDT: From this webinar, attendees will learn about changes to the FDA Food Code, which now includes a requirement for FSMS. 

August 28, 2025

Strategies for Rodent Control in Distribution Facilities

Live: August 28, 2025 at 2:00 pm EDT: From this webinar, attendees will learn how to understand rodent behavior and innovative strategies for rodent management.

View All

Products

Global Food Safety Microbial Interventions and Molecular Advancements

Global Food Safety Microbial Interventions and Molecular Advancements

See More Products
Environmental Monitoring Excellence eBook

Related Articles

  • person eating apple

    WHO Calls for Experts to Estimate 2025 Disease Burden for Four Toxic Heavy Metals

    See More
  • Consumer Reports Tests Fruit Juices, Finds Concerning Levels of Heavy Metals

    Exclusive interview: Q&A with Consumer Reports on concerning levels of heavy metals in fruit juices

    See More
  • baby food generic

    House of Representatives Releases Update on Toxic Heavy Metals in Baby Foods

    See More

Related Products

See More Products
  • 9781138070912.jpg

    Trends in Food Safety and Protection

  • 1119237963.jpg

    Food Safety in China: Science, Technology, Management and Regulation

  • 9781032369990 (1).webp

    Food Safety Quality Control and Management

See More Products
×

Never miss the latest news and trends driving the food safety industry

eNewsletter | Website | eMagazine

JOIN TODAY!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Directories
    • Store
    • Want More
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • eNewsletter
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2025. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing