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Planned tuna WASHINGTON - The government will get independent scientists to review whether it's giving the right advice to pregnant women about which fish to shun because of mercury contamination.
warning canned
FDA defends fish warning
to pregnant women; seeks
review of controversyDoctors weigh health benefits of tuna in die
Associated Press
Fish is widely considered part of a healthy diet because certain types contain high levels of heart-healthy fats. But different types of fish also harbor different amounts of mercury, which at certain levels can hurt an unborn baby's developing brain.
So last year, the Food and Drug Administration issued the following advice:
-Pregnant women, and those wishing to become pregnant, should not eat four types of fish - shark, swordfish, king mackerel and tilefish - because they could contain dangerous mercury levels.
-Pregnant women can safely eat up to 12 ounces of any other cooked fish a week - from canned tuna to shellfish to smaller ocean fish. Don't eat more than 12 ounces a week on a regular basis and the amount of mercury absorbed won't be worrisome, the FDA said.
Critics immediately attacked the advice for not limiting tuna consumption. Many consumer advocates believe tuna steaks, while they contain less mercury than swordfish, still contain enough that they shouldn't be eaten during pregnancy. Some groups even urge pregnant women to limit consumption of canned tuna to 7 ounces a week, even though canned tuna is made from small tuna fish that contain far less mercury. The larger the fish, typically the more mercury it contains.
Friday, the advocacy Environmental Working Group charged that contradictory comments by an FDA psychologist during meetings with consumers while the advice was being finalized - plus some meetings with industry - suggest FDA watered down its tuna advice.
The FDA vehemently denied that, saying the science on mercury in fish is credible. But because the charges attacked the FDA's process of determining consumer advice, the agency will have its independent food-safety advisory board review the debate at a spring meeting.
"We want American women to have faith in what we say," said FDA food chief Joe Levitt. "We believe that we came to the right conclusion."
FDA mercury rationale:
http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/ 7/8acrobat/hgadv4.pdf
Environmental Working Group:
http://www.ewg.org
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When advising pregnant women about their diet, the health benefits of eating fish must be weighed against the potential adverse effects of mercury contamination, two Hawaii doctors say. Doctors weigh health
benefits of tuna in dietBy Rosemarie Bernardo
rbernardo@starbulletin.com"I tell my patients to limit consumption of these fish that are potentially high in mercury content," said Dr. Robb Ohtani, a Honolulu obstetrician.
"We have to balance the benefits of the fish intake and mercury control," he said.
Mercury is released into the air through industrial pollution. It then falls onto the surface of the water, building up in streams and oceans. Fish absorb mercury while they feed on aquatic organisms.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration decided to drop an advisory warning about mercury in canned tuna and tuna steaks after consulting with fish industry and consumer focus groups.
Dr. Linda Rosen, medical director of the state Family Health Services Division, said solid information is not available on how much mercury affects pregnant women.
"There is a reason to be concerned about mercury and the developing brain. ... We don't know how much it takes to produce harm," Rosen said.
The division is working with various agencies and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to encourage officials to look into further studies of Hawaii's population and fish intake.
"We eat a lot of fish in Hawaii," Rosen said. An FDA warning on tuna "could mean a big change in lifestyle. It could have an impact on industry. It's harder for us," she added.
Rosen added, however, "We're very concerned that people not stop eating fish and switch to less healthy types of foods."