News Coverage
FDA: Panel Weighs Stronger Warnings on Fish Consumption
Published July 23, 2002
Independent scientific advisers to the FDA yesterday began a three-day meeting to determine whether the FDA should issue "stronger warnings" about fish consumption, including warning against eating tuna during pregnancy, AP/Newsday reports. The agency last year issued an advisory to pregnant women and anyone expecting to become pregnant to avoid eating shark, swordfish, king mackerel and tilefish -- the four fish with the highest levels of mercury -- and to limit intake of all other fish to no more than 12 ounces per week. However, some consumer advocacy groups would like the FDA to add tuna steaks, which have "somewhat less" mercury than swordfish, to the list of fish not to be eaten while pregnant. In March, the Environmental Working Group, an advocacy organization, alleged that the FDA had been planning to add tuna to the list but instead "bowed" to pressure from the seafood industry; the FDA denied the allegation. In an address to the advisory panel, FDA food safety chief Joseph Levitt said, "It is an emotionally charged issue. We are truly open and want your best advice, whether you agree with us or not." The panel is expected to issue a final decision tomorrow
(Neergaard, AP/Newsday, 7/24).