FDA Draft Report Says Benefits Of Fish Outweigh Mercury Risk For Pregnant, Breastfeeding Women

Main Category: Pregnancy / Obstetrics
Also Included In: Women's Health / Gynecology;  Nutrition / Diet;  Public Health
Article Date: 16 Dec 2008 - 4:00 PDT

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FDA is urging the White House to approve revised recommendations that would encourage greater seafood intake for pregnant women, women of childbearing age, women who are breastfeeding, infants and children, saying that the benefits of eating seafood outweigh the risk of mercury exposure from fish, the Washington Post reports. FDA's recommendation would reverse the government's current policy which advises that individuals in these populations to limit consumption of mercury-contaminated fish and avoid certain high-mercury species altogether, including swordfish, shark, tilefish and king mackerel. The metal is known to damage neurological development of fetuses and infants and might also pose cardiovascular risks for adults, according to the Post. In a draft report of the new recommendations submitted to the Office of Management and Budget, FDA states that the nutrients in fish -- including omega-3 fatty acids and selenium -- could boost a child's IQ by three points. In addition, it said that the greatest benefits would come from consuming more than the current 12 ounce limit recommended for pregnant women, women of childbearing years, women who are breastfeeding, infants and children.

The Environmental Protection Agency -- which has a joint role with FDA in protecting the public from mercury contamination -- criticized the new recommendations in internal memos, calling the policy "scientifically flawed and inadequate" and short of the "scientific rigor routinely demonstrated by EPA." The Post reports that EPA sources said that FDA did not consult the agency on its proposal for the revisions until the draft nearly was complete. Kathryn Mahaffey -- former top mercury scientist for EPA -- said that FDA used an "oversimplified approach" that could increase the public's exposure to mercury. However, a spokesperson for the National Fisheries Institute praised FDA's efforts and said the agency used "a science-based approach" (Layton, Washington Post, 12/12).

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