ABOUT

Smart discussion of the latest science and news on toxins in your food, water, and air, and what government agencies should be doing to protect public health. Enviroblog is a project of EWG Action Fund.

About our authors.

Get EWG blog badges.

Kid-Safe Chemicals Act

GET EWG'S TIPS & ACTION ALERTS

Sign up here to stay informed. YouTube
Environmental Working Group's Facebook Page

Twitter

    FEED

     Enviroblog in your Reader

    Enviroblog by Email

    Mixed Greens
    An EWG podcast for environmental health news on the go.

    Top Blog Award

    Let's talk some serious shop about TSCA reform

    Dear CEO: It's time to reduce children's exposure to BPA

    Time to say goodbye

    9 safer shopping tips from the pros @ Skin Deep

    FEATURED

    Dear CEO: It's time to reduce children's exposure to BPA

    So what products CAN we use?

    Infant formula: How to choose it & use it

    EWG's Tips for Parents: The Series

    It's practically summer: Quick, Grab the (safe) sunscreen

    EWG's Tips to avoid BPA exposure

    Let's talk some serious shop about TSCA reform

    EWG on TV

    Cutting the Pork from U.S. Farm Bill

    Toxic Tub?

    Sunscreen safety & DC drinking water

    Perchlorate in people, kids' personal care products & plastics, and sunscreen

    BPA in baby formula & safe cosmetics

    Ask EWG

    What can I do about fluoride in my water?

    What is new carpet treated with? What can I do?

    What is "fragrance"?

    Which infant formula is best?

    Are stainless steel water bottles safe?

    Is mineral-based makeup safer?

    Ask EWG Archives

    SEARCH

    ARCHIVE

    TIPS

    Did we miss something? Email Enviroblog.

    « Time to say goodbye to Steve | Main | Australians rally for the planet »

    FDA Fish Folly

    By Jovana Ruzicic, Former EWG Press Secretary

    December 17, 2008

    The following is a guest post from EWG Senior Analyst Sonya Lunder.

    fish.jpg

    Ah, December. Season of holiday lights, office parties and weekly announcements of Bush Administration actions to weaken health protections for children.

    First, it was melamine in baby formula, now mercury in fish. I for one will definitely welcome 2009 with open arms.

    Last week, EWG leaked documents showing that FDA was preparing to declare all fish consumption to be perfectly safe.

    FDA claims that the good fats and other nutrients in fish can counteract much or all of mercury's harms. Its model suggests that nearly everyone will benefit from eating at least 2 servings of fish each week.

    This outrageous conclusion flies in the face of decades of mercury research and poses a clear danger to children's health. EPA scientists and other have raised serious questions about the details of FDA's proposal and posed the obvious question -- why didn't FDA examine the risks and benefits of specific types of fish?

    Since 2004, pregnant women have been advised to limit fish consumption and to avoid species with the highest mercury levels. This guidance is clearly warranted because 1 in 6 of us (moms, or "women of childbearing age," as we are known) already have too much mercury in our bodies. Fish is the primary source of mercury exposure. Getting good fats from low-mercury fish, fish oil or mercury-free foods, such as walnuts, fortified eggs or even margarine, are clearly the safest choices.

    Scientists studying mercury toxicity in fish, both in the United States and abroad, acknowledge the benefits of fish eating but steer women toward low-mercury foods. Wild salmon is loaded with good fats, low in mercury and tops the list.

    « Time to say goodbye to Steve |