The Facts Behind the FDA’s Warning on Mercury Levels in Fish

July, 2003

With the influx of low carbohydrate diets, more and more people are selecting protein over pasta. And, the protein of choice for many dieters is fish. Besides being low in calories, seafood enjoys a heart healthy reputation. And, it’s chock full of omega-3 fatty acids that are so important for brain development. So, when the FDA advised pregnant women against eating certain species, many of us were confused. How can the universal brain food possibly be bad for anyone"

The Contraversy
As with any nutritional controversy, government agnecies, associations, special interest groups and the press have differing opinions and conduct separate research studies -- with results that often contradict one another. But, there are some questions surrounding the fish safety debate that can be answered with a high degree of certainty.

Mercury and the Environment
We do know that minute quantities of mercury are in air, water, soil, and all living matter and that this naturally occurring sustance has been part of the food chain for millions of years. It is thought that fish ingest mercury by either consuming bacteria which contain extremely low levels of mercury or consuming other fish.

Only Some Fish Exceed Limits
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) routninely analyzes foods for mercury. Almost all foods have mercury levels within the norm for natural environmental mercury content. Swordfish, shark, king mackerel and tilefish are the only fish species that have mercury levels greater than considered normal. These species accumulate mercury as they grow larger because they consume large amounts of small fish.

Is Seafood Safe"
Yes. Only a very small number of pregnant women and women of childbearing age who may become pregnant who eat exceedingly large quantities of predator fish (shark, swordfish, tilefish and king mackeral) need to be aware of certain concerns. Furthermore, the FDA says that seafood remains an important part of a balanced diet. Fish continues to be an excellent source of lean protein, vitamins and minerals. In addition, research has shown that omega-3 fatty acids found in certain species of fish help lower the risk of heart disease and ease the pain of arthritis, among other things.

The Fish Department staff at Sunset is well aware of the warning. "I recall the FDA announcement last year," says Heriberto Medina, Fish Department Manager at Sunset Highland Park, "but it has not affected what our customers are buying because the warning applies to such a small portion of the population."

Which Seafood Is Safest"
Because of the above concerns, a recurring question is what kind of seafood is low in mercury or other pollutants. The following varieties are generally considered the safest seafood choices: haddock, hake, flounder, pollock, Pacific salmon, Atlantic salmon, herring, smelt, clams, shrimp, scallops and lobster.

Back to Articles