FDA: Seafood is not contaminated by the Gulf spill

The seafood from the Gulf of Mexico is harmless to your health, say experts from the US National Oceanic and Meteorological Service (NOAA).

According to Reuters, NOAA has so far examined about 400 representatives of various species, fished from places bordering the oil spill, and has not found any disturbing signs of contamination.

The US government’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is particularly focused on detecting polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, the carcinogens most commonly found in oil.

The first step in bringing contaminated seafood to market was a ban on fishing in about one-third of the federal waters of the bay. According to FDA experts, tests alone are not enough to ensure the safety of eating fish.

We did not have enough samples to be able to say with certainty that it is safe to eat fish. In the case of seafood, we are confident not because of research, but because of the preventive steps taken, says Don Kraemer of the FDA.

Last month, the FDA released guidance for processors that they should carefully check the origin of seafood. Specially trained inspectors are also able to sniff out contaminated products. Such inspectors will pay unannounced visits to points along the coast (PAP)

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