• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.39 no.5
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• pp.422-428
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• 2024

The detection of high levels of cyclic imine (CI) toxins, noted for their neurotoxic effects, in imported shellfish products represents a significant public health concern for South Korea. In this study, we investigated the levels of CI contamination in these imported products. Specifically, we focused on spirolides (SPX-C), pinnatoxin (PnTX), and gymnodimine-A (gym-A), utilizing advanced LC/MS/MS analytical techniques. Samples collected from a range of imported shellfish revealed substantial contamination, with SPX-C being detected at 227.84 ppt in New Zealand mussels, PnTX-G at 80.42 ppt in Chilean mussels, and GYM-A at 118.79 ppt in New Zealand mussels. These findings are particularly alarming, given that the concentrations of CIs in shellfish from certain countries often exceed those found in South Korean products, posing a potentially significant risk to public health when these contaminated products are imported. On the basis of our findings, we advocate the urgent implementation of stringent regulatory measures to control and mitigate the health hazards associated with these toxins in shellfish products. Additionally, we emphasize the importance of ongoing monitoring and continuous research to gain a better understanding of these risks and to develop effective strategies for their management, which will thereby contribute to protecting consumer health in the context of increasing global seafood trade.