WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT MERCURY IN FISH AND SHELLFISH

In March 2004, FDA (Food & Drug Adm.) and EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) issued a first-time joint consumer advisory about mercury in fish and shellfish.  It was directed for women of child-bearing age, pregnant women, nursing mothers, and young children.

The purpose of the advisory is to inform the above mentioned groups on how to get the positive health benefits from eating fish and shellfish, while minimizing their mercury exposure.  With a few simple adjustments, you can continue to enjoy these foods in a manner that is healthy and beneficial, and reduce your unborn or young child's exposure to the harmful effects of mercury at the same time.

The following recommendations have been made for selecting and eating fish or shellfish:

     1.  Do not eat Shark, Swordfish, King Mackerel, or Tilefish because they contain high levels of mercury.

     2.  Eat up to 12 ounces (2 average meals) a week of a variety of fish and shellfish that are lower in mercury, such as shrimp, canned light tuna, salmon, pollock, and catfish.  Albacore ("white") tuna has more mercury than canned light tuna.  So, when choosing your two meals of fish and shellfish, you may eat up to 6 ounces (one average meal) of albacore tuna per week.

     3.  Check local advisories about the safety of fish caught by family and friends in your local lakes, rivers, and coastal areas.  If no advice is available, eat up to 6 ounces per week of fish you catch from local waters, but don't consume any other fish during that week.

These same recommendations apply to your young children, but they should receive smaller portions.

FDA and EPA want to ensure that women and young children continue to eat fish and shellfish because of the nutritional benefits such as high quality protein, low saturated fats, and omega-3 fatty acids.  You also want to include a variety of foods in your diet, including fruits and vegetables, foods that are low in trans fat and saturated fat, as well as foods rich in high fiber grains and nutrients.

I will be offering news and information on other health matters from time to time, and I hope that you will benefit from reading this page.

If you have any questions or suggestions, please let me know.

Marinell Pieper, R.N. - Waskom District Nurse