Food of marine origin: Between benefits and potential risks. Part I. Canned fish on the Polish market

Abstract Chemical analyses were performed on 12 of the most popular varieties of canned fish on the Polish market. The contents of the nutritive substances of canned fish (protein, micro and macroelements, vitamins A 1 , D 3 , E, and fatty acids) and certain contaminants were determined. It was confirmed that canned fish is a good source of digestible proteins, fluoride, iodine, selenium, and vitamin D 3 . The fundamental nutritive benefit of processed fish is the highly advantageous fatty acid composition, which imparts healthful effects. The high content of long-chained polyunsaturated fatty acids, which is not noted in other food products, is especially important. Most contaminants occurred at low levels. However, the contents of dioxins may pose a problem; although the concentrations of these pollutants in the canned products tested did not exceed permitted levels (4pg TEQ-WHO/g for dioxins/furans), they are relatively high in canned Baltic fish. The health benefits and risks stemming from canned fish consumption were determined according to the provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) for contaminants and the quantities of ingredients that render a fish diet healthy, based on data from The EFSA Journal (2005) [EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) (2005). Opinion of the scientific panel on contaminants in the food chain on a request from the European parliament related to the safety assessment of wild and farmed fish. The EFSA Journal 236, 1–118]. The benefits of fish and canned fish consumption outweigh the risks and the species and quantity of fish consumed is of significance to the consumer.