Safety assessment of seafood with respect to chemical pollutants in European Seas

This mini-review discusses the occurrence of chemical pollutants in edible biota from European seas, including the Baltic Sea ecosystem. The bioaccumulation of organic and inorganic pollutants in marine fish and edible molluscs and crustaceans is briefly approached within the context of European Union (EU) food quality standards. The health risks associated with the human consumption of seafood have been assessed mainly by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), an independent European agency funded by the EU. The potential health risks arising from the consumption of “frutti di mare” are examined from the standpoint of estimated Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intakes (PTWIs) for toxic pollutants.