The FDA refused entry of three shipments of canned clams into the U.S. after finding high levels of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), a harmful type of PFAS. Testing showed PFOA concentrations of up to 25.2 ppb in clams from Tri-Union/Chicken of the Sea, Crown Prince, and Kawasho Foods’ Geisha brand, significantly exceeding the EPA’s health advisory for PFAS in drinking water (0.004 ppt).
PFAS, widely used in consumer and industrial products, persist in the environment and bioaccumulate in organisms, posing potential health risks. Bivalves like clams are especially prone to accumulating contaminants. The FDA has no set regulatory limits for PFAS in food but evaluates risks based on concentration, consumption rates, and toxicity data.
A 2022 FDA study found concerning levels of PFOA in canned clams from China, prompting recalls by Bumble Bee and Crown Prince. The FDA has since implemented stricter import policies for foods with high PFAS levels. Research on PFAS exposure from food is ongoing as the agency works to refine its guidelines.