Clearing Up Fish Fears

By: Stephanie Barnes, Regulatory Counsel, Food Marketing Institute 

It’s a myth heard often—pregnant women need to watch the amount of seafood they eat. But nutrition science today tells us that the benefits for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding from eating seafood far outweigh any risks. In fact, in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2010, HHS and USDA recommend that “women who are pregnant or breastfeeding consume at least 8 and up to 12 ounces per week of a variety of seafood per week, from choices lower in methyl mercury” taking into account evidence relating to fish consumption to improved infant health and developmental outcomes.

Both the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently requested comments on a draft document entitled “What You Need to Know About Mercury in Fish and Shellfish.” FMI submitted comments on the draft guidance making the following key points:

• Keep the Message Clear: Significant research has shown that seafood is a vital part of a healthy diet – a message that should be made clear in the updated guidance. Providing “minimum” recommendations will help clarify how much seafood an expecting or new mother should healthfully consume.
• Be Consistent: New guidance from EPA and FDA should be consistent with the guidance from other Federal Agencies including the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
• Keep The Message Broad: If we’re going to get the message across to expecting and new mothers that seafood is safe, then we have to make the message clear to all consumers.

Food retailers are committed to providing consumers with nutrition information. Seafood is a significant part of our business and food retailers are continuously looking for new ways to provide consumers with important information based on sound, scientific studies. View FMI’s full comments on the proposed guidance.