Ensure that the authority or authorities responsible for authorising and supervising aquaculture of native and alien seaweed species are clearly identified and that these tasks are carried out. BuRO advises the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature. In addition, BuRO advises the Minister of Health Welfare and Sport to explicitly include seaweed in food hygiene legislation, and to support the setting of European maximum levels for contaminants in seaweed and seaweed products.
Download: Advice from the Director of the Office for Risk Assessment and Research regarding the assessment of seaweed; food safety and nature
Download: Substantiation for Risk Assessment and Research on the risk assessment of seaweed; food safety and nature
Background
Seaweed is seen as an important source of alternative proteins for a sustainable food system and food security. The cultivation of seaweed is therefore encouraged by the European Union (EU) and also by the Dutch government.
In the Netherlands, seaweed is farmed in the Southwest Delta, the Wadden Sea and the North Sea. There are also experiments with the cultivation of seaweed in saltwater basins on land. Most seaweed farmed in the Netherlands is intended for human consumption, but a large part of the cultivation of seaweed is still in the experimental phase.
Despite the fact that the cultivation of seaweed in Dutch waters is stimulated, not all the risks resulting from this cultivation are yet in the picture. For example, the cultivation of seaweed in open water can have adverse effects on the natural ecosystem. Seaweed may also be contaminated with chemical, microbiological or physical contaminants that may pose a risk to food safety.
Therefore, the Risk Assessment & Research Office (BuRO) of the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority has further investigated these risks on its own initiative.
Conclusions
Nature
Activities with alien seaweed species in open water or open aquaculture have an impact on biodiversity and the ecosystem and therefore pose a risk to nature. When seaweed is moved to another area, (alien) animal species and other (alien) seaweed species can hitchhike and settle in the Netherlands, or spread within the Netherlands. This can have an impact on nature.
Food safety
Seaweed may be contaminated with chemical, microbiological or physical hazards that may pose a risk to food safety and public health. The processing of seaweed for consumption (e.g. by washing and heating) is expected to reduce the presence of chemical, microbiological and physical hazards. The food safety risk from the consumption of processed seaweed is assessed as low for chemical, microbiological and physical hazards.