Martin Rose

This review examines how feeding ecology influences contaminant accumulation in fish and shellfish intended for human consumption. It synthesises evidence on the effects of trophic position, foraging mode, habitat use, age, lipid content, scavenging behaviour, geographical origin, and production system (wild versus aquaculture) on exposure to heavy metals, persistent organic pollutants, and micro- and nanoplastics. Predatory and long-lived species are shown to be at greater risk of biomagnification, particularly for methylmercury, while benthic and demersal species may experience additional exposure to sediment-associated contaminants. Filter-feeding shellfish are highlighted as especially vulnerable because their non-selective feeding mechanisms promote accumulation of metals, organic pollutants, pathogens, and plastic particles from the surrounding water column. The review also identifies important regional differences in contaminant burdens and notes that aquaculture products may display contaminant profiles shaped more by feed composition and farm management than by ambient environmental conditions. Overall, the evidence indicates that contaminant risk is strongly shaped by feeding habits and ecological niche, with important implica-tions for seafood safety, risk assessment, monitoring programmes, and consumer guidance. A balanced approach that accounts for species-specific benefits and con-taminant risks is essential to support safe and nutritionally beneficial seafood con-sumption. These findings support the need for risk-based monitoring, species-specific consumption advice, and policy measures that integrate environmental management with public health protection.

Aquatic environments have been a critical source of nutrition for millennia, with wild fisheries supplying protein and nutrients to populations worldwide. A notable shift has occurred in recent decades with the expansion of aquaculture, now representing a fast-growing sector in food production. Aquaculture plays a key role in mitigating the depletion of wild fish stocks and addressing issues related to overfishing. Despite its potential benefits, the sustainability of both wild and farmed aquatic food systems is challenged by anthropogenic pollution. Contaminants from agricultural runoff, industrial discharges, and domestic effluents enter freshwater systems and eventually reach marine environments, where they may be transported globally through ocean currents. Maintaining water quality is paramount to food safety, environmental integrity, and long-term food security. In addition to conventional seafood products such as fish and shellfish, foods such as those derived from microalgae are gaining attention in Western markets for their high nutritional value and potential functional properties. These organisms have been consumed in Asia for generations and are now being explored as sustainable foods and ingredients as an alternative source of protein. Contaminants in aquatic food products include residues of agrochemicals, persistent organic pollutants (POPs) such as dioxins, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), as well as brominated flame retardants and heavy metals. Public and scientific attention has intensified around plastic pollution, particularly microplastics and nanoplastics, which are increasingly detected in aquatic organisms and are the subject of ongoing toxicological and ecological risk assessments. While the presence of these hazards necessitates robust risk assessment and regulatory oversight, it is important to balance these concerns against the health benefits of aquatic foods, which are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, high-quality proteins, vitamins, and trace elements. Furthermore, beyond direct human health implications, the environmental impact of pollutant sources must be addressed through integrated management approaches to ensure the long-term sustainability of aquatic ecosystems and the food systems they support. This review covers regulatory frameworks, risk assessments, and management issues relating to aquatic environments, including the impact of climate change. It aims to serve as a comprehensive resource for researchers, policymakers, food businesses who harvest food from aquatic systems and other stakeholders.

Aquatic environments have been a critical source of nutrition for millennia, with wild capture fisheries supplying protein and essential nutrients to populations worldwide. In recent decades, however, a notable shift has occurred with the expansion of aqua-culture, which now represents one of the fastest-growing sectors in food production. Aquaculture plays a key role in mitigating the depletion of wild fish stocks and ad-dressing issues related to overfishing. Despite its potential benefits, the sustainability of both wild and farmed aquatic food systems is increasingly challenged by anthropogenic pollution. Contaminants originating from agricultural runoff, industrial discharges, and domestic effluents enter freshwater systems and eventually reach marine environ-ments, where they may be transported globally through ocean currents. Water is an indispensable input not only for the cultivation of aquatic organisms but also across the broader agri-food sector. Consequently, maintaining water quality is paramount to food safety, environmental integrity, and long-term food security. In ad-dition to conventional seafood products such as fish and shellfish, foods such as those derived from microalgae are gaining attention in Western markets for their high nutri-tional value and potential functional properties. These organisms have been consumed traditionally in Asia for generations and are now being explored as sustainable foods and ingredients as an alternative source of protein. Contaminants of concern in aquatic food products include residues of agrochemicals (e.g., pesticides, veterinary pharmaceuticals), persistent organic pollutants (POPs) such as dioxins, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), as well as brominated flame retardants, heavy metals (e.g., mercury, cadmium, lead), and inorganic arsenic. In parallel, public and scientific attention has intensified around plastic pollution, particularly microplastics and nanoplastics, which are in-creasingly detected in aquatic organisms and are the subject of ongoing toxicological and ecological risk assessments. While the presence of these chemical hazards neces-sitates robust risk assessment and regulatory oversight, it is essential to balance these concerns against the documented health benefits of aquatic foods, which are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, high-quality proteins, vitamins, and trace elements. Furthermore, beyond direct human health implications, the environmental impact of pollutant sources must be addressed through integrated management approaches to ensure the long-term sustainability of aquatic ecosystems and the food systems they support.

Introduction: The objective of this study was to study associations of a wide range of halogenated biphenyls, dibenzo‐p‐dioxins, dibenzofurans and diphenylethers with body mass index (BMI) and evaluate changes in their concentration following bariatric surgery.Methods: Subcutaneous fat, visceral fat and liver tissue samples were collected from 106 patients undergoing Roux‐en‐Y gastric bypass surgery for weight loss or patients who were undergoing abdominal surgery for nonbariatric reasons. We measured concentrations of an extensive panel of chlorinated and brominated biphenyls, dioxins, and furans, and brominated diphenylethers in the samples. We conducted linear regression to examine associations with BMI, adjusting for age and gender. Changes in concentration for indicator chemicals were evaluated in samples collected following bariatric surgery in a small subpopulation.Results: After adjustments for age and gender and correction for multiple testing, seven ortho‐chlorinated biphenyls, one nonortho‐chlorinated biphenyl, four PCDD/Fs and one ortho‐brominated biphenyl were associated with BMI. The strongest associations between BMI and lipid‐adjusted concentrations were seen with PCB‐105 in subcutaneous fat (beta = 16.838 P‐val = 1.45E‐06) PCB‐126 in visceral fat (beta = 15.067 P‐val = 7.72E‐06) and PCB‐118 (beta = 14.101 P‐val = 2.66E‐05) in liver. The concentrations of sum PCBs, chlorinated toxic equivalent quantity (TEQ's) and brominated compounds increased significantly with weight loss in subcutaneous fat in a group of ten individuals resampled up to five years after bariatric surgery and substantial weight loss.Conclusion: We show that selected polychlorinated biphenyls PCBs and structurally related polychlorinated dibenzo‐p‐dioxins dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) were associated with BMI. Concentrations of these lipophilic compounds in subcutaneous fat increased following bariatric surgery.

This publication is linked to the following EFSA Supporting Publications article: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.2903/sp.efsa.2020.EN-1815/full