EPA and FDA issued updated draft advice on fish consumption in June 2014. In this draft advice, the two agencies have concluded that the following types of people should eat more fish that is lower in mercury in order to gain important developmental and health benefits:

• Pregnant and breastfeeding women
• Those who might become pregnant
• Young children

This advice was prompted in part by an analysis, conducted by the FDA, of seafood consumption data from over 1,000 pregnant women in the U.S. This study found that 21 percent of the women ate no fish in the previous month, and those who ate fish ate far less than what is recommended in the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

The 2014 draft advice recommends that pregnant women eat at least 8 ounces and up to 12 ounces (2‐3 servings) per week of a variety of fish that are lower in mercury to support fetal growth and development.

• EPA News Release (June 9, 2014)
• Dietary Guidelines for Americans

• Draft 2014 Advice: What to Eat and What Not to Eat
• Public Comment on the Draft 2014 Advice
• More Information

Draft 2014 Advice: What to Eat and What Not to Eat

• Tilefish from the Gulf of Mexico
• Shark
• Swordfish
• King mackerel

In addition, the updated draft advice recommends limiting consumption of white (albacore) tuna to 6 ounces a week.

The draft advice also offers guidance for eating fish caught from local streams, rivers and lakes and encourages consumers to follow fish advisories from local authorities. If advice isn’t available, limit your total intake of such fish to 6 ounces a week and 1‐3 ounces for children.

• Shrimp
• Pollock
• Salmon
• Canned light tuna
• Tilapia
• Catfish
• Cod

Public Comment on the Draft 2014 Advice

In June 2014, EPA and FDA issued joint draft advice and supplemental information for public comment. Comments were accepted until March 26, 2015. The comment period has closed and EPA/FDA are no longer accepting comments on the draft advice.

• Federal Register Notice of Availability (June 11, 2014)
• 2014 Draft Advice ‐ Fish: What Pregnant Women and Parents Should Know – Draft advice on fish consumption, and supplemental questions and answers about the draft advice.
• FDA Table of Mercury Levels in Commercial Fish and Shellfish

Comments to the docket can be viewed on the Regulations website, docket number FDA‐2014‐N‐0595.

More Information

In 2004, the FDA and the EPA recommended maximum amounts of fish that at risk population groups should consume, but did not promote a minimum amount.

• 2004 Advisory: Mercury in fish and shellfish and federal consumption advice (EPA/FDA)

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