Haddock (Source: NOAA FishWatch.gov
Eat more fish and shellfish but eat a variety of species that are less contaminated with toxic mercury.
Federal officials released that draft advice today for women who are or may become pregnant, breastfeeding mothers and young children.
The draft comes from the Food and Drug Administration and Environmental Protection Agency. It's open to public comment on June 11 (tomorrow) and will replace 2004 advice when it's finalized.
New Jersey has issued its own fish consumption health advisories, which were updated last year.
According to the draft federal advice, fish contains important nutrients for developing fetuses, infants who are breastfed and young children. Fish also provides health benefits for the general public, but many people don't eat the recommended amount of fish.
But mercury can collect in streams, lakes and oceans and is turned into methylmercury in the water. Nearly all fish have at least traces of methylmercury, a neurotoxin that can harm the brain and nervous system if people are exposed to too much of it, according to the federal agencies. Methylmercury tends to build up more in some types of fish than others, especially in larger fish with longer life spans.
Here's a summary of the draft advice, which once again is aimed at women who are pregnant or might become pregnant, women who are breastfeeding their children and anyone who feeds young children:
- Eat 8 to 12 ounces (two or three servings) of a variety of fish and shellfish each week from choices that are lower in mercury.
- Give young children two or three servings of fish a week, with the right portion for the child’s age and calorie needs.
- Choose fish and shellfish lower in mercury. They include many of the most commonly eaten species, including salmon, shrimp, pollock, tuna (light canned), tilapia, catfish and cod.
- Avoid tilefish from the Gulf of Mexico, shark, swordfish and king mackerel, which have the highest mercury levels. Limit white (albacore) tuna to 6 ounces a week.
- When eating fish from streams, rivers and lakes, pay attention to fish advisories for those water bodies. If advice isn’t available, adults should limit such fish to 6 ounces a week and young children to 1 to 3 ounces a week and not eat other fish that week.
- When adding more fish to your diet, be sure to stay within your calorie needs.
Haddock (Source: FDA via NOAA FishWatch.gov)
