"Studies have shown that residues of nitrofurans ingested by consumption of contaminated product are bioavailable. When consumed, nitrofuran residues are absorbed by the consumer's body and again form tissue-bound residues. Since the compound is considered to be carcinogenic and genotoxic, consumption over time of product contaminated with nitrofurans may present a human health risk."

The FDA visually inspects only two-percent of seafood imports and subjects only a fraction (two-tenths of one percent) to laboratory tests.  More than 98 percent of imported seafood lands on American dining tables without even a simple, visual inspection.  This is why the U.S. Government Accountability Office said last year that tainted seafood imports may be in our nation's food chain.

The European Union, on the other hand, inspects twice as much imported seafood as the United States.  This may explain why the market for pangasius in Europe is plunging.