Chapter 25: Methyl Mercury

• Potential Food Safety Hazard
• Control Measures
• FDA Guidelines
• Analytical Procedures
• References

While FDA has not changed the 1.0 ppm action level, the agency is re-evaluating it in light of significant new data on the health effects of methyl mercury from consumption of fish. These data have become available since the action level was developed (FDA, 2001).

Control Measures

Contents

When the action level re-evaluation is completed, FDA will, among other things, update this Guide by including advice on how to assess the significance of a potential methyl mercury hazard in fish, and what controls, if any, are necessary to ensure the safety of fish in this regard (FDA, 2001).

FDA Guidelines

Contents

FDA guideline for methyl mercury.

Product	Guideline	Reference
In edible portion of the fish	1 ppm methyl mercury	FDA, 1996

While FDA has not changed the 1.0 ppm action level, the agency is re-evaluating it in light of significant new data on the health effects of methyl mercury from consumption of fish. These data have become available since the action level was developed (FDA, 1998).

• Mercury (methyl) in fish and shellfish: Gas chromatographic method (AOAC, 1995a).
• Mercury (methyl) in fish and shellfish: Rapid gas chromatographic method (AOAC, 1995b).
• Mercury (methyl) in seafood: Liquid chromatographic - atomic absorption spectrophotometric method (AOAC, 1995c).

AOAC. 1995a. Mercury (methyl) in fish and shellfish: Gas chromatographic method. Sec. 9.2.26, Method 983.20. In Official Methods of Analysis of AOAC International. 16th ed., P.A. Cunniff (Ed.), p. 22-24. AOAC International, Gaithersburg, MD.

AOAC. 1995b. mercury (methyl) in fish and shellfish: Rapid gas chromatographic method. Sec. 9.2.27, Method 988.11. In Official Methods of Analysis of AOAC International. 16th ed., P.A. Cunniff (Ed.), p. 24-25. AOAC International, Gaithersburg, MD.

AOAC. 1995c. Mercury (methyl) in seafood: Liquid chromatographic - atomic absorption spectrophotometric method. Sec. 9.2.28, Method 990.04. In Official Methods of Analysis of AOAC International. 16th ed., P.A. Cunniff (Ed.), p. 26-28. AOAC International, Gaithersburg, MD.

FDA. 1996. Fish, shellfish, crustaceans and other aquatic animals - fresh, frozen or processed - methyl mercury (CPG 7108.07). Sec. 540.600 (rev. 3/95). Compliance Policy Guides August 1996. p. 237. Department of Health and Human Services, Food and Drug Administration, Washington, DC.

FDA. 2001. Methyl Mercury. Ch. 10. In Fish and Fishery Products Hazards and Controls Guidance. 3^rd ed., p. 125-126. Food and Drug Administration, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Office of Seafood, Washington, DC.