Is store-bought fish contaminated with PFAS forever chemicals?

What's actually in it

Fish absorb PFAS from polluted water throughout their lives. These forever chemicals accumulate in fish muscle tissue, the part you eat. The longer a fish lives and the higher it sits on the food chain, the more PFAS it accumulates. Tuna, salmon, swordfish, and sea bass can carry higher levels than smaller, shorter-lived species.

PFAS enter waterways from industrial discharge, firefighting foam runoff, and treated wastewater. Both freshwater and ocean fish are affected.

What the research says

A 2026 study in Environ Int tested fish and water samples from the United Kingdom and Spain for PFAS. The contamination was widespread across both countries.

Multiple PFAS compounds were detected in fish muscle tissue. Some species had levels that, for people eating two or more fish meals per week, would push their PFAS intake above the tolerable weekly limit set by European food safety authorities.

The study calculated health risk scores for different consumption patterns. Regular fish eaters and people who rely on fish as their main protein source faced the highest estimated exposure.

Fish is still a healthy food rich in omega-3 fats and protein. But varying your fish choices, favoring smaller species with shorter lifespans, and mixing in plant-based protein sources can help keep your PFAS intake lower.