Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in frequently consumed foodstuffs in South Korea

Dietary intake is an important route of exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs). Dietary exposure to PFASs can be caused by contamination of raw food materials or migration of PFASs from food packaging materials. In this study, 133 samples of raw materials and processed food products were purchased to monitor PFASs levels. The samples were selected based on the top 36 types of high-intake and high-frequency foods. The median value of ∑PFASs was the highest in fishery products (2.961 ng/g), and perfluoro-octane sulfonic acid and perfluoro-n-octanoic acid levels in the entrails of fishery products were higher than those found in fish muscle, which is consistent with findings from previous studies. Removing fish entrails from the consumption of fishery products can reduce the risk of exposure to PFASs because PFASs levels are higher in fish entrails than in fish muscle or other food groups.