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Harmful substance Ethoxyquin detected in farmed salmon
Farmed salmon apparently contains some high amounts of the substance ethoxyquin, which is of critical health concern. After extensive research, the NDR magazine "Markt" came to this conclusion. Thus, in samples from several supermarket and discount supermarket chains, elevated levels of a chemical have been detected, which may be e.g. Can cause changes in liver metabolism.
Salmon is considered very healthy
Whether smoked for breakfast, in the form of sushi or fried for dinner: salmon is extremely popular in this country and is considered due to its high omega-3 content actually very healthy. Because these unsaturated fatty acids are intended, among other things, to minimize the risk of cardiovascular diseases and metabolic disorders such as diabetes. However, the farmed salmon from supermarkets and discounters apparently also contains potentially harmful substances. As reported by the NDR magazine "Markt", the health-threatening substance ethoxyquin could be detected by a laboratory examination in all tested product samples.
Salmon is considered very healthy. But apparently many farmed salmon products from the supermarket are contaminated with chemicals. (Image: ExQuisine / fotolia.com) Eight product samples examined in the laboratory
The consumer magazine had examined eight randomly selected farmed salmon products in the laboratory. These included frozen Alix smoked and smoked salmon, genuine smoked salmon (dry salted) from manufacturer Norfisk Wismar (Edeka) and fresh salmon under protective atmosphere packed by Profish (Real), according to the magazine's report. It was found that all samples contained the substance ethoxyquin or the variant ethoxyquin dimer, a chemical that is used for the preservation of animal feed and is considered to be potentially harmful to health. "There is evidence that ethoxyquin can cause DNA damage in animal studies," said toxicologist Prof. Edmund Maser of the Kiel-based Christian Albrecht University opposite the transmitter. In addition, according to the expert studies have shown that ethoxyquin could cause a change in liver metabolism.
The values exceeded in all cases the fixed general limit, e.g. for meat. For fish, on the other hand, there are no MRLs within the European Union, according to the NDR report. Ethoxyquin has long been used as a plant protection product, but this is banned throughout the EU since 2011 because of doubts about the safety of the substance. However, as an additive in feedingstuffs, the chemical is still permitted to some extent and presumably also enters farmed salmon in this way.
Expert demands maximum values for fish
"As a human being, we are exposed to a myriad of chemicals, which we bring to our bodies through food or other pathways, for example. And there we have to reckon with addition effects ", explained Prof. Maser. Accordingly, the nutrition expert Silke Schwartau of the consumer center Hamburg called in discussion with "market" also for fish the introduction of a Ethoxyquin maximum value. The traders concerned, however, pointed out, in the light of the findings, that the proof of the substance in the final product was not legally objectionable, according to the sender's report. Nevertheless, emphasized e.g. Edeka, that despite this, a reduction or avoidance of ethoxyquin in animal feed is sought.
Normal smoked salmon often contains additional bacteria
Those who want to play it safe as a consumer should resort to wild salmon and organic salmon, advises the magazine. The former is not bred and therefore receives no contaminated food and organic salmon is usually fattened with unloaded food. These products can also be used to prevent other health problems. For example, as a food study on behalf of NDR showed a few years ago, supermarket smoked salmon from conventional breeding is often burdened with bacteria. (No)