FDA spotlights fish consumption for pregnancy and children amid mercury concerns

02 Nov 2021 --- The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has updated its advice about eating fish, which details the “Best Choices” of fish that contain the least amount of mercury. As part of the FDA’s Closer to Zero action plan, it will begin next year to evaluate the current research on mercury in food – including fish – consumed by babies and young children.

In coordination with the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), this update revises the advice last issued in 2019. In the advice, the FDA uses “fish” to refer to both fish and shellfish.

It incorporates the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2020 to 2025. As the food sources are evaluated, the FDA will look more holistically at the role of fish in the diet, considering both aspects that are detrimental (such as mercury content) and beneficial – due to the nutrients present.

The agency will continue evaluating the respective and interacting roles of these aspects in child development.

The “dangers” of mercury
The FDA recommends eating fish as part of a healthy diet. However, it encourages children and people who are or might become pregnant or breastfeeding to eat fish that is lower in mercury.

Based on mercury levels, the advice can help these groups choose which fish to eat and how much to eat.

The FDA continues to recommend that children and people who are or might become pregnant or are breastfeeding eat a variety of fish from its “Best Choices” category, as they are lower in mercury. The “Best Choices” include the following: anchovy, black sea bass, catfish, cod, crab, haddock, hake, oyster, pollock, salmon, sardine, squid, whitefish and shrimp – to name a few.

The “Choices to Avoid” list contains the highest levels of mercury and includes marlin, orange roughy, shark and swordfish.The FDA has a “Best Choices” list that details the most nutritious fish with lower mercury levels.

Canned, frozen and fresh fish are all suitable and provide affordable and convenient options, according to the FDA.

NutritionInsight previously reported on the FDA’s plan to limit the levels of mercury and other harmful substances in baby and young children’s food.

The Global Organization for EPA and DHA Omega 3s (GOED) previously said that EPA and DHA omega 3s do not contain mercury as this is removed from the oils during the refining process.

Fish still recommended for growth
The updated advice includes new information explaining that children that are one year of age can eat approximately 1 oz of fish two times a week – from the “Best Choices” list.

Fish provides vital nutrients that children need for their brain, immune system and spinal cord development. In particular, iron and zinc found in seafood help support children’s immune systems.

According to the FDA, evidence shows that eating fish as part of a healthy diet may improve heart health. Moderate scientific evidence indicates that healthy diets that include fish are associated with lowering the risk of becoming overweight or obese and the risk of hip fractures, colon cancer and rectal cancer.

Fish intake during pregnancy is recommended by the FDA as scientific evidence shows it can help a baby’s cognitive development. Adding to this, fish oil supplementation during pregnancy could boost children’s brain function at ten years old. Also, research in the US found that women who got a higher amount of DHA – an omega 3 fatty acid – had fewer early preterm births overall.Iron, iodine and choline found in fish can support the development of a child’s brain and immune system. 

Omega 3 and omega 6 fats, iron, iodine and choline support brain development. Choline also supports the development of the baby’s spinal cord.

Overall recommendations remain
Apart from the advice on lower mercury fish options, the FDA’s general guidance about eating fish has generally not changed.

The FDA details that their resources are now easier to navigate, and no fish was deleted from its guidance chart. Additionally, no changes were made to how it categorizes the different types of fish on the chart.

However, it notes that the “Best Choices” fish subset listed in the DGA is even lower in mercury.

The recommended servings or serving sizes of fish remain the same. The FDA maintains that people who are pregnant or breastfeeding should eat fish two to three times a week with a total of 8 to 12 oz. Children are recommended to eat a total of 2 to 8 oz fish two times per week, depending on age. The fish consumed should be from the “Best Choices” category in the chart.

By Nicole Kerr