The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have issued a joint statement concerning mercury in fish and shellfish. Research indicates that high levels of mercury in the bloodstream of unborn babies and young children may harm the developing nervous system. The key parts of the advisory are:
Fish and shellfish are an important part of a healthy diet. Fish and shellfish contain high quality protein and other essential nutrients, are low in saturated fat, and contain omega-3 fatty acids. A well balanced diet that includes a variety of fish and shellfish can contribute to everyone’s heart health and children’s proper growth development. Thus, women and young children in particular should include fish in their diets due to the many nutritional benefits.
By following these three recommendations for selecting and eating fish or shellfish, women and young children will receive the benefits of eating fish and shellfish and be confident that they have reduced their exposure to the harmful side effects of mercury:
1. Do not eat shark, swordfish, King Mackerel, or tilefish because they contain high levels of mercury.
2. Eat up to 12 ounces (two average meals) a week of a variety of fish and shellfish that are lower in mercury. Five of the most commonly eaten fish or shellfish that are low in mercury are shrimp, canned light tuna, salmon, Pollock, and catfish. Another commonly eaten fish, albacore (“white”) tuna, has more mercury than canned light tuna. So when choosing two meals of fish and shellfish, you may eat up to six ounces (one average meal) of albacore per week.
3. Check local advisories about the safety of fish caught by family and friends in local lakes, rivers, and coastal areas. If no advisory is available, eat up to six ounces (one average meat) per week of fish caught from local waters, but don’t consume any other fish that week.
Follow these same recommendations when feeding fish and shellfish to young children, but serve smaller portions.
If you would like a brochure, one can be obtained by calling the EPA at 1-800-490-9198, publication number EPA-823-F-04-009 (English) or EPA-823-F-04-010 (Spanish).
Additional information is available at:
1. 1-888-SAFEFOOD
2. www.cfsan.fda.gov/seafoodl.html
www.epa.gov/ost/fish
