Cancer-Risk Toxin Found in Cod Liver Oil Capsules

By SEAN POULTER

THOUSANDS of tubs of cod liver oil tablets are being withdrawn from stores because of contamination by cancer-causing chemicals.

Seven Seas is taking a number of the health supplements off the shelves because they are contaminated with dioxins.

Details were revealed by the Food Standards Agency which said the supplements contained illegal levels of the industrial pollutants.

The dioxin level found was 2.7 micrograms per kilo, some 35 per cent above the legal limit of 2micrograms. Both the FSA and Seven Seas described the higher level of pollutants as a ‘technical breach’ rather than a risk to health.

But consumers who take the Seven Seas products to improve their health will be alarmed.

The products being withdrawn include certain batch numbers of Seven Seas Extra High Strength Cod Liver Oil Capsules and Seven Seas ProBrain Capsules.

Also withdrawn are Seven Seas JointCare Glucosamine Sulphate Capsules and Seven Seas Joint-Care Glucosamine Chondroiton Capsules. Most had expiry dates of May, June, July and August of this year. Dioxins, which are by-products from a number of industrial processes, are found in the environment, including the sea.

They are likely to be found in concentrated levels in the livers of cod and in the fatty tissues of various oily fish.

Generally, health supplement manufacturers successfully remove the contaminants.

The chemicals have been linked to cancer. They can also harm unborn babies and damage the immune system.

But the FSA said: ‘They have no immediate effect on our health but can cause problems if they are absorbed into our bodies at high levels for long periods.

‘Although there is no health risk associated with consumption of these products, the amount of dioxins found exceeds legal levels.’ Seven Seas Pure Cod Liver Oil is a traditional remedy for the relief of joint pains and stiffness.

It is also used in the treatment of combined vitamin A, D and E deficiencies.

Bizarrely, while the company is withdrawing unsold items from sale, both it and the FSA say consumers who have bought the tablets can safely consume them.

There is no system in place to offer refunds to customers who want to return the products.

Seven Seas said the dioxins were discovered during routine quality assurance testing. It said: ‘This small technical variance has arisen through supply of an ingredient by a third party but does not represent a health risk to consumers.’ The company said it had launched an investigation with its supplier, which has also stepped up quality control measures.

Seven Seas refused to say how many tubs are being removed but said affected batches relate to some 15 per cent of those sent to retailers.