Kids and Health Care: Limiting Fish Intake
In March 2004, two U.S. government agencies issued new joint guidelines on the consumption of mercury-tainted fish by women and young children. The recommendations were aimed, in part, to balance neurological risks to youngsters.
The new guidelines, issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Environmental Protection Agency, advise that pregnant women, women who may become pregnant, nursing mothers and young children should avoid eating meat from older, larger fish, including:
- shark;
- swordfish;
- king mackerel; or
- tilefish.
Albacore tuna, however, which activists say may have even higher levels of mercury per serving than other species on the "banned" list, was not included. In fact, the latest guidelines now encourage women and young children to eat six ounces, or one serving, of albacore tuna per week.
