EFSA - Scientific Opinion on health benefits of seafood (fish and shellfish) consumption in relation to health risks associated with exposure to methylmercury

FAB RESEARCH COMMENT:

Eating fish and seafood has significantly more benefits than risks - both for cardiovascular health, and for women during pregnancy - according to an Expert Review of the scientific evidence from the European Food Standards Agency.

Their Expert Panel concluded that:

• 1-2 portions a week of fish and seafood helps maintain cardiovascular health in adults 

• Up to 3-4 portions per week of fish and seafood during pregnancy is linked with significantly better neurodevelopmental outcomes in children than eating none.

Importantly - the reviewers considered both the nutritional value of fish and seafood (which is a key source of brain-essential nutrients including omega-3 DHA, iodine, selenium, Vitamin D and zinc, among others) and its non-nutrient content, incuding potential contaminants such as methyl mercury. 

FDA revises guidance on fish and seafood in prgnancy

FAB followers will be already familiar with the pioneering research which showed that US FDA recommednations for pregnant women to limit their fish and seafood to 2 portions per week were in fact likely to be harming children's cognitive and behavioural development, not protecting it. See:

• Hibbeln et Al. 2007 - Maternal Seafood Consumption In Pregnancy And Neurodevelopmental Outcomes In Childhood

As a result of this - and other evidence that has accumulated since - the FDA has in fact now changed its own guidance, so that 2 portions of fish a week is now the target for all women to aim for in pregnancy, not the upper limit.

See the related news article here:

• 10 June 2014 - FDA - Fish: What Pregnant Women and Parents Should Know

 
It is good the European Food Standards agency has also concluded that up to 4 portions per week of fish and seafood during pregnancy provides more benefits than risks.

The challenge now is for public health authorities to get that message across to women who are pregnant, or planning to become so, as current dietary intakes of fish and seafood in the UK and Europe, as well as the US, fall seriously short of the levels that would optimise their children's mental development, as well as their own physical and mental health.

For more information on this subject, please see the following list of articles, which is regularly updated:

• Fish and Seafood in Pregnancy and Early Life