Fish industry feeds public a red herring
LEADING health charity the Vegetarian & Vegan Foundation (VVF) tackled the British fish industry head on at the end of January over claims that fish is essential for health. A dying mermaid, wrapped in nets, lay on the steps of Fishmongers’ Hall by London Bridge at the start of a one day conference on Seafood and Health. The VVF’s message to delegates “Fish is not a Health Food’ was made loud and clear on banners. Copies of a new guide Fish-Free for Life were also handed out. The VVF’s guide reveals why plant omega-3s are the best source of omega-3s, directly challenging the fish industry’s assertion that fish is essential for health. Author of the guide, VVF senior health campaigner Dr Justine Butler, says: “The fish industry is aiming to increase its revenue by feeding the public a “red herring’ that we need fish in our diets to boost and protect our health. The scientific research tells a different story… “We are aiming to raise awareness and to reassure people that all the omega-3s they need can be sourced from a plant based diet, which does not contain harmful toxins found in fish including PCBs, dioxins and mercury. Fishy facts: – On average, people in the UK eat only a third of a portion of oily fish a week. In any week, seven out of ten don’t eat any oily fish at all – Numerous studies show that plant-based omega-3s can protect health – Oily fish and fish oil supplements have been shown to increase the risk of heart attack – Getting the balance of omega-3 to omega-6 fats may be more important than how much omega-3 you eat – If oily fish were essential for good brain function, vegetarians would fail at school and university – they do not – The PCB’s, dioxins and mercury in fish ensure that they carry a government health warning – As well as a frequently underestimated source of food poisoning, fish also contain substances that, when overcooked, can lead to cancer – Farmed fish contain even less of the “good’ fats than their wild counterparts – There are many alternatives to fish as the recipe section of our guide shows… To order the Fish-Free for Life guide, please call 0117 970 5190, email info@vegetarian.org.uk or visit www.vegetarian.org.uk. The guide costs £2.90 including postage and packing. ENDS For more information about this media release please call press officer Helen Rossiter on 0117 944 1000 or 07977 463057, or email press@viva.org.uk, or call 0117 970 5190 to speak to Dr Justine Butler or email justine@vegetarian.org.uk. A high-resolution version of the image included above is available by visiting Fish-Free for Life is one of 13 guides by the VVF. The VVF also produces guides and fact sheets on nutrition. For lists of guides available, please refer to the contact details above.
About the author
Dr. Justine Butler
Justine joined Viva! in 2005 after graduating from Bristol University with a PhD in molecular biology. After working as a campaigner, then researcher and writer, she is now Viva!’s head of research and her work focuses on animals, the environment and health. Justine’s scientific training helps her research and write both in-depth scientific reports, such as White Lies and the Meat Report, as well as easy-to-read factsheets and myth-busting articles for consumer magazines and updates on the latest research. Justine also recently wrote the Vegan for the Planet guide for Viva!’s Vegan Now campaign.
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