Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in aquaculture feeds and potential dietary exposure to and from aquaculture fish

Published

March 12, 2026

Author(s)

Kelsey Blevins, Jessica Reiner, Aaron Watson, Michael Janech, Ashley Russell

Abstract

The "forever chemicals" per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been measured in wild caught fish, but few studies have examined PFAS in aquaculture. This study aims to quantify PFAS in commercial aquaculture feeds, quantify PFAS in fillets and livers of aquaculture fish fed commercial diets, and estimate human dietary exposure of PFAS through consumption of aquaculture fish. Thirteen commercial feeds were analyzed for 29 PFAS. Fifteen PFAS were detected with perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) detected in all feeds. A 63-day feeding trial on juvenile red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) fed two different feeds at three ration levels was then conducted. Only PFOS was detected in the fillets and livers, and fish given the higher PFOS diet exhibited a higher percentage of detection in their fillets (70.8 %; mean = 0.09 ng/g) compared to fish given the lower PFOS diet (0 %). There was a significant difference in size between the feed groups (p-value = 3.53e-13), suggesting a possible growth dilution effect. PFOS did not differ among rations, and levels in the fillets did not exceed EFSA guidelines. This study provides baseline data on dietary contribution of PFAS to and from aquaculture fish and allows for informed safe consumption recommendations to safeguard human health.

Citation

Food and Chemical Toxicology

Volume

212

Pub Type

Journals

Download Paper

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fct.2026.116058

Local Download

Keywords

PFAS Aquaculture Fish feed contamination Dietary exposure Bioaccumulation

Citation

Blevins, K. , Reiner, J. , Watson, A. , Janech, M. and Russell, A. (2026), Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in aquaculture feeds and potential dietary exposure to and from aquaculture fish, Food and Chemical Toxicology, [online], https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fct.2026.116058, https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=961222 (Accessed July 7, 2026)

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