Halogenated persistent organic pollutants in selected processed small fish species from Ghana

Small fish species plays an important role in ensuring food security and nutrition in Sub-Saharan Africa while limited data are available on environmental contaminants in these foods. Processed whole small fish (four marine and two freshwater species) were sampled at local food markets across Ghana and analyzed for the content of polychlorinated dibenzodioxins and -furans (PCDD/Fs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFASs). The content of persistent organic pollutants differed significantly between species. Total PFASs reached on average 5.7 μg/kg of processed West-African pygmy herring while African moonfish, European anchovy, bigeye grunt, round sardinella and tilapia showed average levels below 0.6 μg/kg of processed product. Marine fish species showed higher contamination levels of PCDD/Fs and PCBs than freshwater species. More data are needed to identify contamination sources, to estimate more representative exposure scenarios and to increase food safety and security.