News Coverage
Go wild for salmon; Nutrition News
Published April 1, 2004
You know the health benefits of essential fats like the omega-3 fatty acids found in salmon. But did you know that farm-raised salmon, despite its high omega-3 content, can actually pose a hazard to your health? A study from Indiana University, Bloomington, and published in the journal Science reports that of the 14 contaminants studied--such as PCBs polychlorinated biphenyls), dioxins and the banned pesticides toxaphene and dieldrin--all were significantly higher in farm-raised salmon as compared to wild salmon. According to a 2003 report on PCBs in salmon from the Environmental Working Group, PCBs are more potent cancer-causing agents than originally thought. It appears that the feed given to the farm-raised salmon is the source of the contaminants. To get your omega-3s and still avoid the potential health hazards associated with these cont aminants, be sure that the salmon you order from your market or restaurant menu is wild or Pacific salmon. If they tell you it's farm-raised or Atlantic salmon, go with the cod.