JIST

Abstract

Background: Fish is an important source of food which is rich in protein and omega-3 fatty acids. Canned fish is preferred by many due to its convenient nature of use, less cooking time, affordable price etc. Canned fish get contaminated with naturally occurring metals during the process of storage, manufacture and transportation. Among the heavy metals lead, arsenic and mercury are classified as carcinogenic agents to humans by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) & are limited for human consumption by various International Organizations.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional study of the estimation of lead levels in selected canned fish products sold in the Ernakulam district of Kerala State. Quantitative estimation of selected heavy metals was done in canned fish samples using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry(ICP-MS) and the values were compared with the permissible limits for human consumption.

Results: Out of 13 canned fish samples screened for lead, arsenic and mercury. Arsenic was detected in all samples (100%). Lead and mercury were detected in 12 samples (92.3%). The mean level of lead obtained was within a range of 0.305 ± 0.267 mg/kg and in two samples (15.4%) lead levels crossed the permissible limit for human consumption. Arsenic and Mercury detected in the samples analysed did not cross the permissible limits for human consumption.

Conclusions: From this study, we conclude that even though heavy metals such as lead, arsenic and mercury were detected in more than 90% of samples, two samples were contaminated with lead levels more than the permissible limit for human consumption by FSSAI. Frequent monitoring should be conducted for food items crossing the permissible limit set by various international agencies.