PFAS in focus: New MAC advice reflects EFFOP priorities

The Market Advisory Council (MAC) has adopted new advice on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), underlining the need to address contamination at its source rather than further down the seafood value chain.

Adopted March 24, the advice reflects priorities promoted by EFFOP – Marine Nutrients Europe. Ensuring a healthy marine environment is fundamental, not only for food safety, but because the seafood sector depends directly on clean and productive seas.

The root of the problem lies upstream

PFAS contamination is increasingly recognised as a systemic challenge affecting aquatic ecosystems and seafood production. While operators across the value chain are taking responsibility, the root of the problem lies upstream and the advice prioritises a policy approach reducing emissions at source, ensuring that those responsible for pollution play a central role in addressing it.

At the same time, the advice explicitly points to the marine ingredients sector as an example of proactive industry engagement. It highlights how our sector has developed extensive datasets to monitor PFAS occurrence across Europe, covering species origin, oceanographic regions, and raw material streams. This work strengthens the scientific basis for understanding contamination and supports informed policymaking.

The advice also refers to recent industry analysis published in Aquafeed, which examines how our sector is addressing PFAS and contributing to the broader discussion on “forever chemicals”.

Towards a more coherent EU approach

For EFFOP, the advice points towards a more balanced and effective EU framework that:

• Prioritises prevention at source
• Strengthens the scientific basis for decisions
• Ensures fair treatment across the value chain

EFFOP will continue to engage with policymakers to support solutions that both protect marine ecosystems and safeguard sustainable food production.

For further details, please see the full advice here.