News Coverage
PCBs Found in Farm-Raised Salmon
Published July 29, 2003
It is one of the most popular fish sold at St. Louis restaurants and grocery stores.
Salmon is supposed to be heart healthy, but now there are concerns about PCBs found in farm raised salmon.
Suzanne Johnson of Clayton serves salmon at least once a week. Johnson said, "I have a salmon recipe to poach, fry, bake, broil, grill. It is a nice versatile fish. It is healthy for us and it's a great protein source."
The Environmental Working Group tested ten farm raised salmon filets from supermarkets on the east and west coasts.
"Seven of ten samples had alarming levels of cancer causing PCBs," stated Jane Houlihan with EWG. "Salmon may be the most highly contaminate protein source in the diet."
Johnson said she's concerned about the report but wants more information. She said she'd also like to hear what fish farmers have to say.
In Pickneyville, Illinois, some corn and soybean farmers are turning to fish farming in order to turn a profit. They're harvesting catfish, bass, and salmon.
Doug Wojcieszak is the Executive Director of the Illinois Fish Farmers Co-Op, and states "I question the Environmental Working Group's science and agenda. Farm raised fish are healthier and are raised in a cleaner, controlled environment. They don't have chemicals you find in wild fish."
What you can do
According to the EWG, to reduce your exposure to PCBs, trim fat from fish before cooking.
Also, choose broiling, baking, or grilling over frying, as these cooking methods allow the PCB-laden fat to cook off the fish. When possible, EWG says to choose wild and canned Alaskan salmon instead of farmed, and eat farmed salmon no more than once a month.