Thursday, January 24, 2008
High Mercury Levels Are Found in Tuna SushiPotentially dangerous mercury levels in fish and sushi were found in a wide range of places -- including randomly selected restaurants and Publix.
Young women and children may want to reconsider whether they want to eat fresh tuna.
Samples of fish and sushi purchased last fall in 26 U.S. cities, including Miami, contained mercury levels at or above levels considered dangerous to women of child-bearing age, young children and other at-risk groups.
Oceana, a Washington-based ocean conservation group, hired an independent laboratory to evaluate 94 random samples of tuna, swordfish, tilapia and mackerel collected from supermarkets and sushi restaurants.
Oceana released its findings Wednesday. Most alarming were the levels of mercury found in tuna, which the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Environmental Protection Agency previously considered safe for women and children to eat in moderation.
RISING CONCERNS
One-third of the tuna sushi samples tested contained enough mercury that the FDA could order it removed from the market.
Concerns over mercury in fish have risen in recent years as studies suggested it can interfere with a child's developing nervous system.
The levels of mercury found in Oceana's study puts tuna on par with some of the fish the FDA and EPA have told women of child-bearing age and children never to eat: shark, swordfish, king mackerel and tilefish.
''Tuna is one of the most commonly eaten fish,'' said Jackie Savitz, senior campaign director for Oceana, who lives part time in Miami.
``It's important that people get this information so they can make informed choices about what they're eating and feeding their kids.''
WARNING SIGNS
But until that happens, Oceana wants to see supermarkets place warning signs up on its seafood counters alerting customers to the current government recommendations.
Although Publix has a pamphlet available to customers explaining the issue, Savitz doesn't believe that gets consumers' attention. The study found that six of the seven seafood counter clerks at Publix stores across the Southeast were unable to explain the government seafood eating guidelines to customers.
Publix spokeswoman Brous argues that because the findings are so detailed, a pamphlet is more effective.
''Our job is to educate our shoppers,'' Brous said. ``Giving them more information is better.''
Miami Herald staff writer Fred Tasker contributed to this report, which was supplemented with information from the New York Times Service.
BY ELAINE WALKER of the MIAMI HERALD
Labels: Food Safety, Mercury
