The cart wheels shriek to a stop along the seafood aisle. That mental shopping list you had meant to write down appears and disappears in your mind. Dinner. What to make for dinner.
Fish? You are instantly hooked on the idea of tuna for dinner. But wait, isn’t there mercury in fish? Should you not buy that tuna? But, it’s on sale- what a catch!
So, you don’t know the FDA warnings. Rest assured, you are not alone. Most people are unaware of the advice they have a right to know.
In March 2004, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued the following advice for women who might become pregnant, women who are pregnant, nursing mothers and young children:
1. Do not eat Shark, Swordfish, King Mackerel or Tilefish because they contain high levels of mercury.
2. Eat up to 12 ounces (2 average meals) a week of a variety of fish and shellfish that are lower in mercury (i.e.shrimp, canned light tuna, salmon, pollock, and catfish).
Got that memorized? In addition to all those other things you need to pick up at the supermarket? Doubtful. That’s why a campaign is currently underway to pressure grocery stores to post signs at seafood sections with the FDA advisories.
There’s a lot of myths swimming around in regards to mercury. Shoppers need to know the facts- and what better way to inform the public then with warning signs at the seafood counters? Certain grocery chains already post them (Whole Foods, Safeway, and Wild Oats), thanks in part to the efforts of Oceana, a conservation group. However, other grocery stores (Costco, Giant, and Weis) make you feel like a fish out of water when it comes knowing what seafood is best for your family.
So, as you’re shopping, you notice a large sign with the warnings. You settle for fish low in mercury, and then confidently, turn to the next aisle . . . desserts. It could be as easy as 1,2,3. Or one fish, two fish, red fish, blue fish.
Check out which grocery stores post these signs and are on the Green List.
Other useful sites:
• The Food and Drug Administration mercury advice
• FDA’s list of Mercury Levels in Commercial Fish and Shellfish
References
1. Center for Science in the Public Interest. “Is it high or is it low?” July 6, 2006. (http://www.cspinet.org/new/200607061.html).
2. Oceana. “VITAL SIGNS: The status of mercury warning signs in U.S. grocery stores.” (http://www.oceana.org/fileadmin/oceana/images/greenlist/VITALS_REPORT.pdf)
3. US Environmental Protection Agency. “Mercury: Human Exposure.” (http://www.epa.gov/mercury/exposure.htm)
4. US Food and Drug Administration. “Background for the 2004 FDA/EPA Consumer Advisory: What You Need to Know About Mercury in Fish and Shellfish.” (http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/ mercury/backgrounder.html).
