May 5, 2003

Contact: Kathleen Schuler - 612-870-3468, kschuler@iatp.org

Ben Lilliston - 301-270-4787, blilliston@iatp.org

Minneapolis - The Smart Fish Guide (online, at www.iatp.org/foodandhealth), released today by the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy, helps consumers, and especially women, choose fish that will maximize the nutritional benefits, while avoiding higher levels of common toxic pollutants. The guide, complete with a detachable wallet card for shopping, is the first such tool incorporating information about mercury and PCB contamination of fish, and ecologically-friendly fish choices.

The Smart Fish guide is geared toward women of child-bearing age (and their fetuses), and children under age 15. It is being released prior to Mother's Day and the Minnesota Fishing Opener this weekend. It also includes advice for eating seafood bought in markets and restaurants, as well as advice on freshwater fish based on data from tests of Minnesota fish.

"Fetuses and young children whose brains are still developing are the most vulnerable to toxins common in fish, like mercury," says Dr. Chuck Oberg, a pediatrician and President of the Minnesota Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics. "An estimated 8 percent of women of childbearing age have body burdens of mercury which could put their offspring at risk for adverse affects on learning and development."

"There’s strong science now that a mother's consumption of too much contaminated fish can contribute to learning or behavior problems in her children," says Dr. David Wallinga, Director of the Institute's Food and Health Program. "Moms and future moms should use this guide to buy and eat fish more wisely, so they can reap the health benefits while avoiding the most contaminated fish – and possible impacts on their kids, or themselves."

The guide recommends specific types and sizes of fish to eat. More frequent eating of Alaskan salmon, clams, and most shrimp and flounder is encouraged. The Guide discourages consumption of walleye, northern pike, carp and bass, among others. It includes other tips for healthier fish consumption, like trimming fat. A section on "Sustainability" looks at the problems of some fishing practices like over-fishing and large-scale industrial fish farms.

"Women face a lot of confusing information about fish and seafood. This guide helps women cut through the fog," says Kathleen Schuler, MPH, the author of the guide and Children’s Environmental Health Scientist at IATP. "Neither women nor children should stop eating fish. The right fish and seafood remain a great source of healthy fats that protect the heart, and promote early brain development. But this Smart Fish Guide will make it easier for women to make these smarter, healthier choices."

Healthier fish consumption, and other strategies to protect children from common toxins in our environment, will be the focus of a May 10^th conference at Macalester College for parents, childcare workers and parent educators, called Healthy Planet, Healthy Kids. For more information go to www.healthyplanethealthykids.org

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