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Mercury in Fish and Shellfish
Advice for Pregnant Moms, Nursing Moms and Young
Children
Fish and shellfish are an important part of a
healthy diet. They 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 heath 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 eaten and the levels in 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.
By following these 3 recommendations for selecting
and eating fish or shellfish, women and young
children will receive the benefits of eating fish
and be confident they have reduced their exposure to
the harmful effects of mercury.
1. Do not eat the following fish, as they contain
high levels of mercury:
-
Shark
-
Swordfish
-
King Mackerel
-
Tilefish
2. East 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
-
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.
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 (one average meal) per week of
fish you catch from local water, 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.
Courtesy of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
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