Heavy metals contamination in imported fish: A five-year assessment at Dubai Ports, UAE (2017–2021)

The objective of this study was to assess the levels of heavy metals (arsenic, (As), cadmium, (Cd), mercury, (Hg), and lead, (Pb)) in 4089 imported fish products by using quadrupole inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (Q-ICP-MS) imported into the United Arab Emirates collected from samples over a span of five years, from 74 countries at Dubai ports. The results were evaluated based on European Union Maximum Limits (MLs) standards, and the concentrations of As and Cd in numerous samples substantially exceeded the allowable limits. Nevertheless, the percentage of these unfit samples has declined from approximately 23 % in 2017 to 3 % in 2021. Fish packaged in aluminum, metal, or foam-based containers exhibited lower contamination levels than fish packaged in other packaging materials. Among specialty and marinated fish categories, approximately 16 different species contained contaminant levels that exceeded safety thresholds. This study reinforces the critical need for continuous surveillance and strict enforcement of safety standards for concerning imported fish in the UAE, as samples exceeding MLs are classified as unsafe and are prohibited from entering the market. Our quantitative assessment of heavy metal concentrations across various imported fish species demonstrates significant variations and highlights the importance of sustained monitoring to ensure the safety of imported fish products for consumers.