Health Charity Calls for “Zero Tolerance’ of Polluted Fish
Health charity Viva Health have responded to today’s Food Standard Agency’s announcement on “safe’ levels of fish consumption with a call for plant oils to be promoted instead. The FSA’s recommendations were made as a result of concerns over the contamination of fish by dangerous environmental pollutants. The charity demanded to know why the existence of entirely safe plant sources of beneficial omega 3 fatty acids has not been mentioned or promoted in the FSA’s advice. All fish, and particularly oily fish, contains traces of mercury, PCBs and dioxins. To date there have been no scientific studies definitively establishing the human health implications of long term consumption of oily fish. The FSA’s advice is thus, in their own words, based on “balancing’ the risks of fish consumption against its health benefits, notably in preventing heart disease.
The beneficial fats in oily fish, especially omega 3 fatty acids, are, however, also found in abundance in many plant foods, including linseed, soya and rape seed. This source of omega 3 has also been found to be more effective at protecting the heart. Lee Jerome, Health Campaigner for Viva Health explains “The FSA’s “dilemma’ of balancing benefits versus risks of fish consumption is wholly artificial. We are very disturbed that almost no one – including the FSA – is promoting the message that the benefits of fish consumption can be achieved without any of the risks associated with environmental pollutants. We have been given current scientific opinion today, not fact, and we don’t believe that people should have to take decisions on their health based on “balancing’ the risks of fish consumption against the benefits. What if future discoveries prove this opinion to be misguided? In view of the remaining uncertainty over the safety of oily fish consumption, and the availability of safe, plant-based alternatives, why eat – or indeed promote – fish at all?”
For further information, contact Lee Jerome (MSc Clinical Nutrition), Health Campaigner for Viva Health, on 0117 970 5190. Viva Health’s fully-referenced report on the risks and benefits of fish consumption Fishing for Facts found that: – All the essential omega-3s needed for good health are present in plant oils. – Plant omega 3s are twice as effective in reducing heart attack than omega 3s in oily fish. – Fish omega 3 only benefits people at high risk of heart disease. Plant omega 3 benefits people at high risk and those at lower risk. Copies of the report are available from Viva Health or it can be viewed online at http://www.vegetarian.org.uk/fish/fishreport.pdf
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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