FDA releases new advice on fish consumption in pregnancy: Here is what you should know!

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has revised advice that was issued by it, along with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regarding consumption of fish by pregnant women as well as breastfeeding mothers and parents of young children.

In 2017, the Food and Drug Administration(FDA) and EPA had released an easy-to-use reference chart to help consumers more easily understand the types of fish to eat more or less of based on their mercury levels.

The Food and Drug Administration(FDA) has revised advise that expands information about the benefits of fish as part of healthy eating patterns by promoting the science-based recommendations of the 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. These guidelines provide advice for people in the U.S. 2 years of age and older and recommend that adults eat at least 8 ounces of seafood per week based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

“Fish and shellfish are an important part of a well-rounded diet. However, we know many consumers worry about mercury in fish and even choose to limit or avoid fish because of this concern. In fact, we have seen that women in the U.S. who are pregnant are consuming far less than the recommended amount of seafood,” Susan Mayne, director of the FDA’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, said in the FDA's press release. “One of our responsibilities at the FDA is to ensure that consumers have the best information available to make food choices that are good for their health and the health of their families.

Also Read: Fish oil supplements during pregnancy linked to better growth in children: BMJ

Key points of the revised advise:

• The revised advice of the Food and Drug Administration(FDA)highlights the many nutrients found in fish, several of which have important roles in growth and development during pregnancy and early childhood.


• It also highlights the potential health benefits of eating fish as part of a healthy eating pattern, particularly for improving heart health and lowering the risk of obesity.


• The revision announced today is designed to help consumers who should limit their exposure to mercury choose from the many types of fish that are lower in mercury – including ones commonly found in grocery stores, such as salmon, shrimp, pollock, canned light tuna, tilapia, catfish and cod.


• It is important to note that women who might become pregnant, or who are pregnant or breastfeeding—along with young children—should avoid the few types of commercial fish with the highest levels of mercury listed on the chart.

Also Read: Management and diagnosis of high BP in pregnancy: NICE Guideline

"Our goal is to make sure Americans are equipped with this knowledge so that they can reap the benefits of eating fish, while choosing types of fish that are safe for them and their families to eat," said Mayne.

This revision is being made in accordance with a provision of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2019.