The Seafood & Gourmet Specialists

Perception, Reality and Facts about Seafood

There seems to be safety concerns around seafood and it is extremely important for everyone's health in the United States to report the facts.

The United States Government reccomends that EVERYONE in the United States should eat at least 2 servings of seafood per week.  They are also asking us to substitute one or two poultry or beef portions per week to seafood!  The current U.S. consumption of seafood per person is around 16.6 pounds.  If we ate two 6 oz servings of seafood a week we would more than double that consumption rate to 39 pounds per person.  In Japan the average person eats 155 lbs per year, Iceland 200 pounds per year and in Malaysia 100 pounds per year.  The citizens of these countries are not suffering from Mercury Poisoning or negative health effects from eating seafood.  If anything on average they are much healthier than we are.  Why are we concerned at all and especially at the 16 pounds per year average?  In this case perception is not reality.  Eat more fish it is good for you and help us improve the perception of safe and healthy seafood in America!

• “Increase the amount and variety of seafood consumed by choosing seafood in place of some meat and poultry.”
• “Eat fish at least twice a week to reduce risk of heart disease, whether you have heart disease of not.”
• “Fish is safe for the general population, pregnant and breastfeeding women, and young children.
• “Consume 8 to 12 ounces of seafood per week from a variety of seafood types.”
• “Eat fish at least twice a week during pregnancy and breastfeeding to improve eye and brain development in babies.”
• “On average, Americans of all ages consume too few vegetables, fruits, high-fiber whole grains, low-fat milk and milk products and seafood.”
• “Consumption of two servings of seafood a week, which provide 250 mg per day of long chain omega-3 fatty acids, is associated with reduced cardiac mortality from CHD or sudden death in persons with and without CVD.”
• “Moderate, consistent evidence shows that health benefits derived from the consumption of a variety of cooked seafood in the US in amounts recommended by the Committee outweigh the risks associated with methyl mercury (MeHg) and persistent organic pollutants (POPs) exposure, even among women who may become or who are pregnant, nursing mothers, and children ages 12 and younger.”

• Experts Unveil Recommendations for Seafood Consumption During Pregnancy
• WHO recommendation on seafood consumption during pregnancy