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back to ENVIRONMENTAL TOXINS topics
When you’re at the grocery store or market, know
that some food is safer for your child than others. Pick what’s
safe.
Fish
Pollutants like mercury and PCBs from
industrial waste and run-off get into streams and lakes where they
are then ingested by fish. Both mercury and PCBs can cause brain
damage and hurt your child’s ability to learn. While fish is a
valuable source of protein and other nutrients, it’s important to
know which fish are safest to eat. For young children, pregnant
or breast-feeding women, and women of childbearing age who may get
pregnant, here are some Guidelines to Eating Fish Safely:
- Eat no more than 12 oz. of fish per week. A
serving size is typically 3 to 6 oz.
- For specific fish bought from the store:
- Fresh salmon, canned salmon, shellfish 2-3 meals a week
- Cod, pollock, haddock, canned tuna 1 meal a week
- Fresh tuna, halibut, orange roughy 1 meal a month
- Shark, swordfish, tile fish, king mackerel DO NOT EAT
To find information or alerts about fish caught
in your local areas, go to these web sites:
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
The EPA is the United States governmental agency that works to “protect
human health and safeguard the environment.” This link takes you
to the National Listing of Fish and Wildlife Advisories.
http://map1.epa.gov/
Minnesota
Department of Health
Minnesota’s Environmental Health Division has a web page dedicated
to guidelines for eating fish safely.
http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/eh/fish/safeeating/safeeating.html
The Center for Food Safety
and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN)
CFSAN, a branch of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), is responsible
for "promoting and protecting the public's health by ensuring
that the nation's food supply is safe, sanitary, wholesome, and
honestly labeled." This link discusses how pregnant women can
be affected by mercury in fish.
http://vm.cfsan.fda.gov/%7Edms/admehg.html
 Fruits
and vegetables
Produce that is in season and comes
from farms that are closer to home is safer because fewer chemicals,
including pesticides, have to be used for shipping and storage.
Pesticides’ impact on children’s brains includes damaging the brain’s
ability to function, memory difficulties, and impaired body movement.
Scientists are learning more and more about the effect of agricultural
use of chemicals on human health. Another option, though less appealing
because of its higher cost, is organic foods. Organic foods have
higher standards for what is allowed in the product during the agricultural
process. Either way, still wash or peel all produce before it’s
eaten.
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