The two agencies have concluded that pregnant and breastfeeding women, those who might become pregnant, and young children should eat more fish that’s lower in mercury in order to gain important developmental and health benefits.
The draft updated advice is consistent with recommendations in the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
Previously, the FDA and the EPA recommended maximum amounts of fish that these population groups should consume, but didn’t promote a minimum amount. Over the past decade, however, emerging science has underscored the importance of appropriate amounts of fish in the diets of pregnant and breastfeeding women, and young children.
An FDA analysis of seafood consumption data from over 1,000 pregnant women in the US found that 21% of them ate no fish in the previous month, and those who ate fish ate far less than the Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends, with 50% eating fewer than 2oz a week, and 75% eating fewer than 4oz a week.
The draft updated advice recommends pregnant women eat at least 8oz and up to 12oz (2-3 servings) per week of a variety of fish that are lower in mercury, to support fetal growth and development.
Choices lower in mercury include some of the most commonly eaten fish, such as:
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