Seafood ChoiCeS

Seafood Choices: Balancing Benefits and Risks
http://www.nap.edu/catalog/11762.html
TABLE 1-2 Federal Fish Advisories in the United States
Fish Advisories/Restrictions a
Number
of Servings
Type of Fish/Seafood Serving Size
Reasons for
Advisories/Restrictions
Organization Audience
Once per
week
8 ounces raw
(6 ounces
cooked) b
Noncommercial fish
(where there is no local
advisory)
Not specified Inform the public from which
specific bodies of water or which
species of fish it is safe to eat
Environmental Protection
Agency
Twice per
week
6 ounces
cooked
A variety of fish includes
shellfish, canned fish,
smaller ocean fish, or
farm-raised fish
Receive the benefits of eating fish
and shellfish and be confident
of reductions in exposure to the
harmful effects of methylmercury
Pregnant women and
women of childbearing
age
Food and Drug
Administration
Any Avoid
Shark, swordfish, king
mackerel, tilefish
These fish contain high levels of
methylmercury
Pregnant women, women
of childbearing age,
nursing women, and
children
Environmental Protection
Agency and Food and Drug
Administration
6 ounces Once per
weekc Albacore (“white”) tuna
and locally caught fish
Albacore (“white”) tuna has
more methylmercury than
canned light tuna
Pregnant women, women
of childbearing age,
nursing women, and
children
Environmental Protection
Agency and Food and Drug
Administration
aWhen consuming noncommercial fish, always check for local fishing advisories.
bFor an adult with an average body weight of 70 kilograms (154 pounds), based on a reference dose for methylmercury of 1×10 –4 mg/kg/day.
c If consuming locally caught fish, do not consume any other fish that week.
SOURCES: US EPA, 2004a; FDA, 2001; US EPA/FDA, 2004.
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