General Standard for Contaminants and Toxins in Food and Feed (Codex Stan 193-1995)
Methylmercury in certain fish species
| Reference to JECFA | 33 ( 1989 ) , 61 ( 2004 ) , 22 ( 1978 ) , 53 ( 2000 ) , 67 ( 2007 ) |
| Toxicological guidance value | PTWI 0.0016 mg/kg bw (2003, confirmed in 2006) |
| Contaminant definition | Methylmercury |
| Synonyms | MeHg |
| Related code of practice | Code of Practice Concerning Source Directed Measures to Reduce Contamination of Foods with Chemicals (CAC/RCP 49-2001) |
| Commodity/Product Name | Maximum Level (ML) mg/kg | Portion of the Commodity/Product to which the ML/GL applies | Notes/Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alfonsino | Whole commodity fresh or frozen (in general after removing the digestive tract) | Countries or importers may decide to use their own screening when applying the MLfor methylmercury in fish by analysing total mercury in fish. If the total mercuryconcentration is below or equal to the ML for methylmercury, no further testing is required and the sample is determined to be compliant with the ML. If the total mercury concentration is above the ML for methylmercury, follow-up testing shall be conducted to determine if the methylmercury concentration is above the ML. The ML also applies to fresh or frozen fish intended for further processing. Countries should consider developing nationally relevant consumer advice forwomen of childbearing age and young children to supplement the ML. | |
| Marlin | Whole commodity fresh or frozen (in general after removing the digestive tract) | Countries or importers may decide to use their own screening when applying the ML
for methylmercury in fish by analysing total mercury in fish. If the total mercury concentration is below or equal to the ML for methylmercury, no further testing is required and the sample is determined to be compliant with the ML. If the total mercury concentration is above the ML for methylmercury, follow-up testing shall be conducted to determine if the methylmercury concentration is above the ML. The ML also applies to fresh or frozen fish intended for further processing. Countries should consider developing nationally relevant consumer advice for women of childbearing age and young children to supplement the ML | |
| Shark | Whole commodity fresh or frozen (in general after removing the digestive tract) | Countries or importers may decide to use their own screening when applying the ML
for methylmercury in fish by analysing total mercury in fish. If the total mercury concentration is below or equal to the ML for methylmercury, no further testing is required and the sample is determined to be compliant with the ML. If the total mercury concentration is above the ML for methylmercury, follow-up testing shall be conducted to determine if the methylmercury concentration is above the ML. The ML also applies to fresh or frozen fish intended for further processing. Countries should consider developing nationally relevant consumer advice for women of childbearing age and young children to supplement the ML | |
| Tuna | Whole commodity fresh or frozen (in general after removing the digestive tract) | Countries or importers may decide to use their own screening when applying the MLfor methylmercury in fish by analysing total mercury in fish. If the total mercuryconcentration is below or equal to the ML for methylmercury, no further testing is required and the sample is determined to be compliant with the ML. If the total mercury concentration is above the ML for methylmercury, follow-up testing shall be conducted to determine if the methylmercury concentration is above the ML. The ML also applies to fresh or frozen fish intended for further processing. Countries should consider developing nationally relevant consumer advice forwomen of childbearing age and young children to supplement the ML. |