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FDA AND EPA ISSUE ADVISORIES ON FISH
Release Date: 01/12/2001
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FOR RELEASE: FRI., JAN. 12, 2001
FDA AND EPA ISSUE ADVISORIES ON FISH
Today the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued advice to pregnant women and others on the hazards of consuming commercially available fish that may be contaminated with mercury. EPA, in conjunction with the FDA’s announcement today, is issuing advice concerning fish from non-commercial sources – freshwater fish both caught and directly eaten by subsistence and recreational fishers.
EPA is recommending that women who are pregnant or may become pregnant, nursing mothers and young children, limit consumption of such fish to one meal per week (six ounces of cooked fish per adult; two ounces of cooked fish per child).
EPA believes fish can be an important source of nutrition for developing children but that some fish may contain harmful levels of mercury, which can affect the developing brain and nervous system.
EPA particularly recommends that consumers check with their state or local health department for any available local advice. Many states have collected relevant local data on fish contamination.
Additional information on FDA’s advisory is available on FDA’s Web site at: http://www.fda.gov. Additional information on EPA’s advisory as well as a listing of state and local contacts on fish safety is available on EPA’s Web site at: https://www.epa.gov/ost/fish .
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