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How many times a week should I eat fish?
Hi Erin, great question. How many meals per week is entirely dependent on the type of fish in question and the age of the consumer. For example, farmed oysters, crayfish and haddock are safe to eat four or more times per month, whereas wahoo should only be consumed once per month for both younger and older children. These recommendations are based on the different mercury and PCB levels and the approximate body size of the individual. For information about specific meals per month recommendations, review our “search by species” guide for more complete information. Feel free to check back in with any more questions!
I read that tuna is high in mercury, but daughter loves tuna fish sandwiches (it is basically the only source of protein I can get her to eat). What are the dangers of high mercury levels in children?
Mercury is a neurotoxin that can impact the central nervous system, kidneys, immune system, and, in particular, brain development. Some studies show that mercury exposure can lower IQ levels in children. Whether your daughter is at risk is dependent upon her age (younger children are believed to more susceptible), how often she eats tuna, what species of tuna (some species have higher levels of mercury than others, like bluefin), among other factors. However, our bodies do get rid of mercury over time-try switching tuna for species that are lower in mercury like farmed tilapia or wild alaskan salmon.
Are mussels safe and sustainable to eat?
Mussels are a great seafood choice that is both low in contaminants and sustainable. Most mussels are farmed using environmentally friendly methods with little to no mercury or PCBs.
It is so great to see a program that is looking at both sustainability and contaminant levels, as a mom I’ve got to admit I’m more concerned with how my kid’s food will impact their health, not just how it will impact the environment. Keep up the good work!
My kids LOVE salmon cakes, they’re such an easy way to get them eating seafood. Thanks for all the resources that help keep them happy and healthy!
Wow, lots of great info and site looks good! How can I find quick info about different local fish, for ex in the Bay Area?
Each state has a fish advisory that is specific to the different waterways found in that state. Check out California’s state advisory (http://www.oehha.ca.gov/fish/nor_cal/index.html) and these specific recommendations to the San Francisco Bay (http://www.oehha.ca.gov/fish/nor_cal/2011SFbay.html).
Love the website! Tons of great info. Is it safe to feed kids three different fish species each of which are listed as safe for kids to eat 4x a month? I want to know if it is safe for kids to potentially eat fish 12x a month if they eat different species at the maximum allowable levels?
Federal guidance recommends women who might become pregnant, women who are pregnant, nursing mothers and young children consume around 8-12 oz of seafood per week to optimize the benefits from eating seafood (i.e. brain development). Depending on the age of your child, this means they should be eating around 3-4 meals (younger children should be eating 3 oz per meal, older children 4.5 oz per meal) per week of low mercury, sustainable options. Scaling up, this means your child could consume 12 3oz meals per month. A 3 oz serving size is roughly equal to the size of a deck of cards.
Are Spanish Mackerel and Atlantic Mackerel the same fish? Also, with Salmon, is Silver Coho the same as Coho? Thanks!
Seafood labeling can definitely be confusing! While King Mackerel and Spanish Mackerel are both found in the Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic Mackerel is a different species. Atlantic Mackerel is typically found in the North Atlantic Ocean whereas Spanish and King Mackerel are predominantly caught in the South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico. If you’re buying from a fish counter or fishmonger, try and ask to see if they can tell you which species they are referring to, or where the fish was caught which might help you discern which species it is.
Silver Coho and Coho are often used interchangeably and refer to the same species. Wild Alaskan caught coho salmon is a great choice!
Hi, Should we be concerned about radiation in fish caught in pacific ocean…even off coast of california? It seems if there is radiation in the water of California that the coast would also be affected? Thank you,
Kelly
Hi, my 2year old toddler loooooooves sushi. At the moment we are only giving her the maki rolls filled with Avo, cucumber or cooked crabstick/prawn. Question 1: When can she start having pieces of raw Salmon {won’t give her Tuna (re: mercury)}? Question 2: Is it even safe to give her the Maki - it is made on the same surfaces as the raw fish afterall. Thank you.
Any comment on radiation in seafood in particular after the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant disaster?
Another question, is there DHA suppliments that can be given to children that have low mercury and radiation?