Abstract
Fish and seafood are valuable sources both of nutrients and organic contaminants. The expansion of the analytical per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) panel with a toxicological characterisation necessitates an update of PFAS intake assessment and management within the context of cumulative exposure. Benthic and demersal seafood such as clams, squid, and cuttlefish, are more prone to contamination with C9-C14 perfluoro-carboxylic acids, exhibiting the highest Relative Potency Factors in terms of immuno-toxicity, according to the grid recently proposed by the European Commission Scientific Committee on Health, Environment, and Emerging Risk. Based on the Italian food consumption database referred to demersal and benthic biota such as squid, cuttlefish, crustaceans, and clams, a toxicological-based intake scenario has been drafted to highlight the relevant contribution of such wild species to PFAS intake, well above the provisional health-based guidance value of 4.4 ng/kg body weight per week proposed by the European Food Safety Authority. Ensuring consistency between PFAS reduction and substitution policies, environmental quality standards for water bodies and the issuance of advisories and regulations regarding fish and seafood safe&sustainable intake is crucial. This, to prevent a loss of accountability for institutional bodies, which aim to protect fragile (sensitive and vulnerable) groups from PFAS exposure and simultaneously promote the 'Blue Growth' as sustainable food production system.