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Federal
Advisory Updates - 2004
Advisories
on fish consumption can change to
protect public health as new data
are collected and reviewed by state
and federal agencies. Also,
these agencies on occasion offer
different advice for fish consumption.
New Jersey is working with other
agencies and is committed to developing
the most useful, consistent advice
possible. For the latest information,
call one of the numbers below. |
Federal
Advice on Mercury in Fish and
Shellfish
2004
EPA and FDA Advice For: Women
Who Might Become Pregnant
Women Who are Pregnant, Nursing
Mothers, Young Children
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.
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, or Tilefish
because they contain high
levels of mercury.
-
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.
If
you would like further information,
please contact one of the agencies
below.
Some
of the advisories listed herein
may be changing. For the most
up-to-date information, please
contact:
NJ
Department of Environmental
Protection
NJ
Department of Health and Senior
Services
For
background information contact:
State and Local libraries for
Administrative Code 7:25-14,18A
For
information on other advisories:
DE
Department of Natural Resources
and Environmental
Control
(302) 739-4506
NY
Department of Health 1-800-458-1158
ext. 27815
PA
Department of Environmental
Protection
(717) 787-9637
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Office
of Science
Dr. Gary A. Buchanan, Manager
428 East State Street
P.O. Box 409
Trenton, NJ 08625
Phone: (609) 984-6070
Fax: (609) 777-2852
For Information regarding
this site, please contact Terri
Tucker. |
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