What is the government’s advice regarding eating fish and who should be listening?
A. On March 19, 2004, FDA and EPA issued a joint advisory intended only for pregnant women and nursing women, women who might become pregnant and young children. The advisory states upfront that the nutritional benefits of fish – such as tuna – are very important for mothers and that they should include seafood as part of a healthy diet. It states: “…women and young children in particular should include fish and shellfish in their diets due to the many nutritional benefits.” To help pregnant women and moms choose fish that are low in mercury, FDA and EPA have identified 5 commonly served fish with very low mercury levels: shrimp, salmon, pollock, catfish and canned light tuna. According to the government’s advisory, pregnant and nursing women, women who might become pregnant and young children can safely eat up to 12 ounces of these fish each week. The government advisory also tells these special groups that they can safely eat up to 6 ounces a week of canned albacore tuna per week as
