Chemical contaminants and parasites: Assessment of human health risks associated with consumption of whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis) from two boreal lakes in northern Saskatchewan, Canada

► Metal contamination of lake whitefish from Montreal and Reindeer lakes is low. ► Concentrations of organochlorine pesticides and PCBs in whitefish muscle are negligible. ► No human-pathogenic fish parasites were identified. ► Attention should be paid to mercury levels and large parasite cysts attached to the intestine. ► Overall, whitefish is a healthy food source and health risks related to fish consumption are minor.