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Got Fish in your diet? The EPA and FDA think you should

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EPA and FDA issue fish consumption advice

Fish and shellfish provide protein, are low in saturated fat, are rich in many micronutrients, and provide certain omega-3 fatty acids that the body can not make and are important for normal growth and development. However, as a result of natural processes and human activity, fish also contain mercury in the form of methylmercury. Methylmercury can negatively affect the central nervous system, particularly the developing brain of a fetus.

The FDA and EPA have concluded that the following people should eat more fish that is lower in mercury for important developmental and health benefits:

Women of childbearing age (about 16-49 years old)

Pregnant and breastfeeding women

Young children

The advice recommends that women and children eat two to three servings (8-12 ounces for adults and children over age 10, smaller amounts for younger children) of a variety of fish and shellfish each week.

Use this link to view a chart showing how often to eat more than 60 types of fish and shellfish.

The chart that sorts 62 types of fish into three categories:

“Best choices” (eat two to three servings a week)

“Good choices” (eat one serving a week)

“Fish to avoid”

Fish in the “best choices” category make up nearly 90 percent of fish eaten in the United States.

The updated advice cautions parents of young children and certain women to avoid seven types of fish that typically have higher mercury levels: tilefish from the Gulf of Mexico; shark; swordfish; orange roughy; bigeye tuna; marlin; and king mackerel.

For fish caught recreationally, consumers are urged to check for local advisories where they are fishing and gauge their fish consumption based on any local and state advisories for those waters. If no information on fishing advisories is available, eat just one fish meal a week from local waters and also, avoid other fish that week.

EPA and FDA are urging all retailers, grocers and others to post this new fish consumption advice, including the reference chart listing fish to choose, prominently in their stores so consumers can make informed decisions when and where they purchase fish.

 

Fish

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