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Foodwatch criticizes massively the raising of the mercury limit values with tuna and Co
The planned easing of mercury levels in predatory fish such as tuna and swordfish by the European Commission is strongly criticized by the consumer protection organization Foodwatch. "In the case of predatory fish, which are already heavily contaminated, consumers should in future be expected to receive a significantly higher dose of the nerve agent," claims Foodwatch, citing a working paper from the European Commission. The consumer protection organization called on the European Commission to refrain from easing the limits.
The decision on the mercury limit values should be advised by an expert commission still in September according to communication from Foodwatch. The previously announced plans of the European Commission are "the opposite of consumer health protection." Even today, the permissible maximum mercury levels for predatory fish would be significantly higher than other foods. An increase in the limit values is therefore urgently foreseeable. With a signature campaign (www.quecksilber-aktion.foodwatch.de), Foodwatch wants to increase pressure on the European Commission.
Hot criticism from Foodwatch on the planned increase in mercury limits. (Image: eyetronic / fotolia.com) 50 percent of the fish are unsaleable due to mercury pollution
According to Foodwatch, the planned mercury limits of the European Commission are based primarily on economic policy objectives. Based on the actual pollution of the fish, an increase in the predatory fish limit is proposed, so that despite the high mercury readings, sufficient fish can be allowed in for the market. For investigations by the European Food Authority EFSA have shown that "especially large predatory fish at the end of the food chain such as swordfish, shark and tuna fish are often much higher loaded with mercury, as the current limit values actually allow." Therefore, today allowed about 50 percent of the catch will not be sold, reports Foodwatch.
Doubling of the permissible limits for large predatory fish
According to the Consumer Protection Organization, the plans of the European Commission foresee an increase in the permissible "maximum mercury levels for predatory fish from one to two milligrams per kilogram of fish", which doubles the permitted load. Following the planned adjustment of the limits, many previously non-salable fish could be offered for sale and only 14.5 percent of the catch would be considered unsaleable due to their load, Foodwatch continued. For consumers, however, this is associated with increased health risks. Especially pregnant women or their unborn children and infants are at risk.
Risks for pregnant women and toddlers
Mercury is released as a highly toxic heavy metal into the air, for example, from coal-fired power plants or as part of agrochemicals in soil and water, Foodwatch explains. In the sea it will become 100 times more toxic methyl mercury, which the fish will then absorb. Thus, the pollution of the oceans with the neurotoxin pose serious health risks. Especially pregnant women and (small) children would be warned by the federal government from the dangers. For the heavy metal could lead to developmental disorders of the fetus and be made responsible in adults for a number of nerve disorders. At present, the Commission's proposal is based on the motto: "Risks and side effects of failed industrial and environmental policies are being passed on to pregnant women and toddlers with full force."
Distraction maneuver in favor of the economy
The proposed tightening of the limits for other fish species from the current 0.5 to 0.1 milligram per kilogram of fish, according to the Foodwatch experts, only improves on paper. This is a "trick" to disguise the de facto relaxation of the ceilings. In the case of smaller, non-predatory fish, the burdens are usually so low that they already comply with the planned future maximum values. The envisaged tightening of the limit values would therefore not lead to a lower burden for consumers. This is "a perfidious distraction maneuver that helps the economy alone, to the detriment of the health of us consumers," said Foodwatch ... Because the bottom line, the mercury intake will rise. The increase of the predatory limit values should therefore under no circumstances be implemented. Instead, the European Commission should take action to reduce the burden on people. For example, the use of "heavy metal-containing plant protection products must be banned as quickly as possible and the mercury emissions from the combustion of coal for energy production must be consistently and maximally reduced." (Fp)