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News Coverage

FDA defends fish warning, plans independent review

USA Today, Associated Press
Published March 1, 2002

WASHINGTON (AP) — 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.

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 that the 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."

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