What You Need to Know About Mercury in Fish and Shellfish
By U S Food and Drug Administration
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 heart health and children's proper growth and development.
So, women and young children in particular should include fish or
shellfish in their diets due to the many nutritional benefits.
However,
nearly all fish and shellfish contain traces of mercury. For most
people, the risk from mercury by eating fish and shellfish is not a
health concern. Yet, some fish and shellfish contain higher levels of
mercury that may harm an unborn baby or young child's developing nervous
system. The risks from mercury in fish and shellfish depend on the
amount of fish and shellfish eaten and the levels of mercury in the fish
and shellfish. 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 eat fish and shellfish that are lower in
mercury.
3 SAFETY TIPS:
By
following these 3 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 effects of mercury.
- Do not eat
- Shark
- Swordfish
- King Mackerel
- Tilefish
- Eat up to 12 ounces (2 average meals) a week of a variety of fish and shellfish that are lower in mercury.
- Five of the most commonly eaten fish 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 your two meals of fish and shellfish, you may eat up to 6 ounces (one average meal) of albacore tuna per week.
- 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 (one average meal) per week of fish you catch from local waters, but don't consume any other fish during that week.
Follow these same recommendations when feeding fish and shellfish to your young child, but serve smaller portions.