Mar del Plata fishmeal plants face cadmium contamination allegations

A legal complaint has been filed in Mar del Plata, Argentina, seeking an investigation into alleged cadmium contamination by fishmeal plants Coomarpes Ltda. and Agustiner S.A.

The complaint, presented to the Federal Court No. 1 of Mar del Plata, cites a 2021 report from the CONICET Food Security Network. The report, originally requested by SENASA, analyzed 1,082 samples taken between 2015 and 2020. According to the filing, samples from the Mar del Plata plants showed cadmium concentrations exceeding the reference limit of 2 mg/kg, with some levels reaching as high as 13.04 mg/kg.

The legal action argues that cadmium from raw materials may concentrate during industrial processes, potentially contaminating effluents, sludge, and other residues. The complaint seeks to investigate the improper use and disposal of hazardous waste under Law 24.051.