Seafood Groups Cheer New Mercury Study, Support FDA Advice

5/15/2003

From: Linda Candler of the National Fisheries Institute, 703-524-8880

WASHINGTON, May 15 -- The U.S. Tuna Foundation and the National Fisheries Institute say they are pleased with the latest results of an ongoing study that shows no neurological effects from prenatal exposure to mercury in fish. The study, conducted in the Seychelles Islands by a research team from the University of Rochester and published in the May 17th issue of the prestigious British medical journal The Lancet, followed 779 mother-infant pairs beginning in 1989. It is one of the few large studies designed specifically to measure the effect of methyl mercury in fish on fetal development. Despite the fact that the mothers averaged 12 fish meals per week as compared to 1 fish meal per week in the U.S., there was no evidence of impaired neurodevelopment in their children. The mercury content of the fish consumed in the study is comparable to the mercury content of the most popular species eaten in the U.S.

"We finally have powerful evidence that U.S. consumers can continue to enjoy a wide variety of seafood products -- and get seafood's important health benefits -- without undue concern in regard to methyl mercury," said Linda Candler, Vice President of NFI and seafood industry spokeswoman. The industry said the study also suggests that Americans could safely eat more seafood than the current average of 15.6 pounds per year, so long as they follow the FDA's advice to eat a variety of species.

------ US Tuna Foundation is the national organization representing processors of canned tuna and the fishing boats that supply them. The National Fisheries Institute is a non-profit trade association representing companies involved in all aspects of the fish and seafood industry.

NOTE: All NFI releases and related information can be found on NFI's web page at http://www.nfi.org/pressrel.htm