pfas assessment in sea food

Introduction: What Are PFAS?

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large group of man-made chemicals valued for their oil, water and heat-resistant properties. Known as “forever chemicals” due to their extreme persistence, PFAS have been used in firefighting foams, non-stick cookware, textiles, packaging, and industrial processes.

pfas-in-sea-food-testing

Unfortunately, PFAS accumulate in the environment and enter the food chain, with seafood being one of the most concerning dietary sources. Fish and shellfish, especially from polluted waters, can bioaccumulate PFAS to levels that pose significant human health risks. At Eurofins, we provide advanced analytical solutions to detect, monitor, and ensure compliance with PFAS regulations in seafood.

PFAS Testing in Seafood Is Essential

At Eurofins, we recognize the critical importance of PFAS analysis in seafood for:

Consumer Safety: PFAS exposure is linked to cancer, thyroid dysfunction, developmental toxicity, immune suppression, and metabolic disorders.
Bioaccumulation Risks: Top predators (tuna, swordfish, salmon, shellfish) may contain higher PFAS levels due to trophic magnification.
Regulatory Compliance: Ensuring seafood exports/imports meet stringent EU, US, and national PFAS limits.
Environmental Monitoring: Identifying contaminated fishing zones and ensuring safe sourcing.
Brand Protection: Preventing costly recalls, litigation, or reputational damage caused by non-compliant seafood products.

Common PFAS Detected in Seafood

PFAS Compound	Application Source	Seafood at Risk	Health Concern
PFOS (Perfluorooctane sulfonate)	Firefighting foams, textiles	Fish, shellfish	Liver toxicity, cholesterol disruption
PFOA (Perfluorooctanoic acid)	Non-stick coatings, packaging	Oily fish, crustaceans	Carcinogenicity, developmental effects
PFHxS (Perfluorohexane sulfonate)	Industrial surfactants	Fish near wastewater discharge	Thyroid and immune toxicity
PFNA (Perfluorononanoic acid)	Polymers, stain repellents	Shellfish, mussels, oysters	Reproductive toxicity
Emerging PFAS (GenX, PFBS, PFBA)	Replacement for legacy PFAS	Mixed seafood	Limited data but potential toxicity

Pathways of PFAS Contamination in Seafood

Industrial discharge into rivers and coastal waters.
Wastewater treatment plants releasing PFAS into aquatic systems.
Atmospheric deposition of PFAS particles into marine ecosystems.
Food packaging materials leaching PFAS during storage.
Aquaculture feed contamination, introducing PFAS into farmed fish.

Findings of PFAS Occurrence in India

Matrix / Location (Year)	Key PFAS Detected	Concentration Levels & Findings
Breast milk – Chennai, Kolkata, etc. (2008)	PFOS, PFOA, PFHxS, PFBS	PFOS averaged 46 ppt, >2× Vermont’s 20 ppt advisory. Highest PFOA 16× above limit. Indicates maternal transfer to infants.
River water – Ganges Basin (2016)	PFOS, PFOA (+13 others)	15 PFAS (1.3–15.9 ppt). Short-chain PFAS (C5–C8) frequent, suggesting industry substitution. Mean discharge: 240 g/day PFOS, 210 g/day PFOA. PFOS non-detect at source, rose downstream.
Deep groundwater – Varanasi region (2018)	PFOS, PFOA, others	PFOS up to 33 ppt in aquifers >100 m, exceeding advisories (e.g., 20 ppt Vermont). Indicates long-term infiltration.
Surface water & biota – Ganges & tributaries (2009)	PFOS, PFOA, PFNA, PFDA, PFUnDA	PFOS up to 3.9 ppt in Cooum River, 12 ppt in sewage. PFOA in 55% of water samples. PFOS in most fish; dolphins had high PFUnDA (80%), PFDA (87%), PFNA (53%). Bioaccumulation evident.
Airborne particulate matter – Chennai (2017)	PFOA (dominant), others	PFAS in PM10 dust, mostly on 2.5–10 µm particles. PFOA dominant. Suggests inhalation exposure.
Wildlife near waste dump – Chennai (2010)	PFOS (dominant), PFHxS, PFNA, PFDA	Pig livers at Perungudi had PFOS ~71 ng/g (vs. ~19 ng/g control). Piglets showed higher PFOS, indicating sow transfer.
Urban lakes & water supply – Chennai (2022)	PFOS, PFOA, PFHxS, PFNA	Buckingham Canal up to 60.2 ng/L, Adyar River 59.8 ng/L, Chembarambakkam Lake 33.3 ng/L. Groundwater near dump 136.3 ng/L. Treated water >23.9 ng/L, PFOA up to 77.6 ng/L, PFOS 8.1 ng/L (19,400× and 400× EPA advisories).

https://ipen.org/sites/default/files/documents/india_pfas_country_situation_report_mar_2019.pdf

PFAS standards and regulations in seafood

Authority	Regulation Number/Reference	PFAS Limits or Status	Seafood Covered	Enforcement	Notes
EU	Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/915	Max levels for PFOS, PFOA, PFNA, PFHxS (e.g. 2 ng/g in fish)	Fish, crustaceans, mollusks	Market removal if exceeded	PFAS banned in food contact materials from Aug 2026
FSSAI (India)	Food Safety and Standards (Contaminants, Toxins and Residues) Regulations, 2011 (ongoing updates)	No specific PFAS limits yet; general chemical safety standards apply	Fish and fish products	Inspection, lab testing	PFAS monitoring but no explicit seafood limits public
US FDA	No fixed regulation; ongoing under environmental contaminants oversight	No set PFAS limits; generally low detected levels	Bivalves, fish studied	Voluntary recalls, import controls	Continues monitoring and survey work

https://food.ec.europa.eu/food-safety/chemical-safety/contaminants/catalogue/pfass_en

Types of PFAS Tests We Offer at Eurofins

Eurofins provides one of the broadest global PFAS testing portfolios, using advanced instrumentation and validated international methods.

Targeted PFAS Analysis: LC-MS/MS quantification of legacy PFAS (PFOS, PFOA, PFHxS, PFNA).
Non-targeted Screening: HRMS-based detection of emerging PFAS contaminants.
Seafood Matrix Testing: Fish muscle, shellfish tissue, edible oils, aquaculture water/feed.
Total Organic Fluorine (TOF) Analysis: Comprehensive assessment of unidentified PFAS.
Bioaccumulation Studies: Long-term monitoring of PFAS levels across trophic levels.

How Our Testing Process Works

Sample Collection: Guidance on seafood type, tissue preparation, and preservation.
Extraction & Cleanup: Solid-phase extraction (SPE) to isolate PFAS from complex matrices.
Analysis: LC-MS/MS and HRMS ensuring ng/kg sensitivity.
Turnaround Times (TAT): Fast-track (3–5 working days) or standard (7–10 days).
Reporting: Detailed results with regulatory comparison, risk insights, and compliance advisory.

Who Needs PFAS Seafood Testing?

Seafood exporters & importers (EU/US market access compliance).
Aquaculture farms ensuring feed and water are PFAS-free.
Retail & E-commerce seafood brands validating clean-label claims.
Regulators & environmental agencies monitoring PFAS bioaccumulation hotspots.
Food processors using seafood-based ingredients (surimi, fish oil, protein powders).

Common Issues We Help Solve

Issue	How Eurofins Helps
Detection of PFAS above legal limits	Accurate LC-MS/MS quantification and regulatory advisory
Export rejections due to PFAS contamination	Pre-shipment compliance testing and certification
Lack of clarity on PFAS-free sourcing	Supplier verification and traceability audits
Regulatory uncertainty in India	Expert guidance on global compliance pathways
Emerging PFAS with no set limits	Advanced non-targeted screening & risk assessment

Case Study: Supporting a Seafood Exporter to EU

A shrimp exporter in India faced shipment rejection in the EU due to PFOS contamination. Eurofins conducted confirmatory testing, identified the aquaculture feed as the contamination source, and provided corrective recommendations. With reformulated feed and continuous monitoring, the exporter regained EU compliance and avoided long-term trade disruption.

Why Choose Eurofins for PFAS in Seafood Testing?

Global Expertise: 900+ labs across 50+ countries, extensive seafood testing experience.
Accreditations: NABL, ISO/IEC 17025, FSSAI-recognized, EU/US acceptance.
Technology: Advanced LC-MS/MS, HRMS, TOF platforms for legacy and emerging PFAS.
Regulatory Support: Guidance on EU, US, Codex, and evolving Indian PFAS standards.
End-to-End Solutions: From sampling logistics to corrective actions and certification.
Protect consumers, comply with regulations, and safeguard your seafood brand.
Contact Eurofins’ PFAS testing experts for customized solutions.