U.S. agencies advise pregnant women, kids to eat more low-mercury fish

Pregnant and breastfeeding women, those who might become pregnant, and young children should eat more fish that is lower in mercury to gain important developmental and health benefits, according to a draft advice released Tuesday by the U.S. government that provided recommended amounts and types of fish that people should consume.

The draft advice from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ( FDA) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), an update from its 2004 version, recommended these population groups eat at least 8 ounces (227 grams) and up to 12 ounces (340 grams), or 2 or 3 servings, per week of a variety of fish that are lower in mercury, including shrimp, pollock, salmon, canned light tuna, tilapia, catfish and cod.

Although many of the most commonly eaten fish are lower in mercury, pregnant or breastfeeding women should avoid four types of fish that are associated with high mercury levels: tilefish from the Gulf of Mexico, shark, swordfish and king mackerel, it said.

In addition, the draft advice recommended limiting consumption of white (albacore) tuna to 6 ounces (170 grams) a week.

Pregnant women and young children should also avoid raw fish because they "often lack strong immune systems and are more at risk for foodborne illnesses," it said.

When eating fish caught from local streams, rivers and lakes, follow fish advisories from local authorities, it said. If advice isn't available, adults should limit such fish to 6 ounces (170 grams) a week and young children to 1 to 3 ounces (28 to 85 grams) a week and not eat other fish that week.

"For years many women have limited or avoided eating fish during pregnancy or feeding fish to their young children," Stephen Ostroff, FDA's acting chief scientist, said in a statement.

"But emerging science now tells us that limiting or avoiding fish during pregnancy and early childhood can mean missing out on important nutrients that can have a positive impact on growth and development as well as on general health," Ostroff said.

The agencies said they will consider public comments, and also intend to seek the advice of the FDA's Risk Communication Advisory Committee and conduct a series of focus groups before issuing final advice.