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Fish and shellfish are an important part of a healthy diet. A
well balanced diet that includes a variety of fish and shellfish
can contribute to heart health and childrens proper growth and
development. However, nearly all fish and shellfish contain
traces of mercury that accumulate in streams and oceans as they
feed. Some fish are not a health concern. Yet, some
fish and shellfish contain higher levels of mercury that may
harm an unborn baby or young childs developing nervous system.
Larger fish that have lived longer (swordfish, shark, king mackerel
and tile fish) have the highest level of mercury because they’ve
had more time to accumulate it.
The risks depend on the amount of fish and shellfish eaten and
the levels contained. Therefore, the Food and Drug Administration
(FDA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are advising
women who may become pregnant, pregnant women, nursing mothers
and young children to avoid some types of fish and only eat fish
and shellfish that are low in mercury.
Fish sticks and “fast food” sandwiches are commonly
made from fish that are low in mercury. Tuna steaks generally
contain higher levels of mercury than canned light tuna. When
choosing your two meals of fish and shellfish, you may eat up
to 6 ounces (one average meal) of tuna per week. If you
eat a lot of fish one week, you can cut back for the next week
or two since one weeks consumption of fish does not change the
level of mercury in the body at all. Just make sure you
average the recommended amount per week.
By following the three (3) recommendations for selecting and
eating fish or shellfish, women and young children will receive
benefits and be confident that they have reduced their exposure
to the harmful effects of mercury:
- Do not eat: shark, swordfish, king mackerel or tilefish
- Eat up to 12 ounces (two average meals) a week of a variety
of fish and shellfish that are lower in mercury such as shrimp,
canned light (albacore white tuna has more mercury than canned
light tuna), tuna salmon, Pollock and catfish.
- Check local advisors (your local Health Department) about
the safety of fish caught by family and friends in your local
lakes, rivers and coastal areas.
Visit the FDA’s Food Safety Website at www.cfsan.fda.gov or
the EPA website at www.epa.gov/ost/fish for
a listing of mercury levels in fish. |
