• In a study issued in 2000, B.C. Fisheries identified areas of the B.C. Coast which included some shellfish farms that have "problematic residues of Cd [cadmium] in farmed Pacific oysters"^1,2. No routine testing is done of cadmium levels in the B.C. shellfish sold to consumers whereas a number of sites that have been tested exceed internationally recommended concentrations by several times. Nor has any effort been made to site shellfish farms away from locations with high cadmium levels.

FACTS:
According to Health Canada, cadmium is a toxic metal associated with significant health risks . When consumed, it is deposited in the soft tissue of the body with 50 -70 % accumulating in the liver and kidney. Accumulation of low levels are tolerated by the body, however, higher levels of chronic exposure can lead to kidney dysfunction and possibly breast cancer³. The World Health Organization/FAO Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives and Contaminants considers cadmium a carcinogen.

In February, 2002 Health Canada released consumption guidelines for regular consumers of BC grown oysters⁴.

• “The maximum monthly intake guidelines for regular consumers of BC grown oysters are as follows:
  Children - about 1 1/2 oysters per month;
  Adults - about 12 oysters per month

On July 7th, 2006, the Codex Alimentation Commission set new international standards on maximum allowed levels of contaminants including lead and cadmium⁵. The Codex is a joint food standards body run by two United Nations [the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The standards apply to food consignments that move in international trade. Maximum limits of cadmium in marine bivalve molluscs and cephalopods set by Codex Standards are:

• “Cadmium should not exceed two milligrams per kilo of marine bivalve molluscs, excluding oysters and scallops, and the same amount in cephalopods such as squids and octopus.”
• It is noted that European Union and Asian markets still have a 1 and 2 mg/kg limit respectively of cadmium for oysters.

Some B.C. oysters contain cadmium levels up to 4 milligrams per kilo¹, several times the maximum amount allowed by Codex specifications, the European Union, and several Asian countries. BC mussels and scallops are also known to have elevated levels of cadmium, although the precise levels for many localities are still being determined.

The Association for Responsible Shellfish Farming advocates systematic independent scientific sampling and testing of all B.C. oysters for cadmium and other toxins and the banning of sales of shellfish containing cadmium levels above the international standards considered to expose the public to health risks.

Notes:

1. Kruzynski, George. 2000. "Cadmium in BC farmed oysters: A review of available data, potential sources, research needs and possible mitigation strategies." Canadian Stock Assessment Secretariat Research Document 2000/104. Canadian Fisheries and Oceans Science: Ottawa. ISSN 1480-4883.
2. Kruzynski, G.M. 2004. "Cadmium in oysters and scallops: The B.C. experience." Toxicology Letters 148(3):159-169.
3. "Cadmium Exposure and Breast Cancer Risk” is a paper in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, Vol. 98, No. 12, June 21, 2006 indicating that there is evidence that further study is needed to investigate the probable relationship between cadmium and breast cancer.
4. "Food Safety Facts on Bivalve Shellfish in British Columbia." Canadian Food Inspection Agency Fact Sheet: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/fssa/concern/specif/bivalvee.shtml
5. Frances Williams. 2006. Financial Times, 7 July. Also see: www.codexalimenetarius.net