Nothing to Feel Good About With Seafood
Nutritionists have labelled as “totally irresponsible’ the Sea Fish Industry Authority Seafood Week’s focus to get young people eating fish. “For a healthy heart, eating oil-rich fish, such as mackerel and sardines, [b]two to three times a week[/b] can help reduce the risk of a heart attack.” Seafood Week Nutritional Tips Press Pack. October 2003. “If you eat [b]more than one portion of oily fish a week[/b], you’re more likely to exceed the tolerable daily intake (TDI) for dioxins and PCBs”. Consumers’ Association “FISH what’s the catch?’ Report. October 2002. A new scientific report published by health charity the Vegetarian & Vegan Foundation (VVF), to coincide with the launch of Seafood Week (2nd October), demolishes the myth that fish is a necessary part of the diet. The Fishing for Facts report finds that: [list] [*] Plant oils are twice as effective in reducing the risks of heart attack than fish oils.[/*] [*] The government’s own Food Standards Agency (FSA) already advise that children under 16 should not eat some types of fish due to contamination. [/*] [*] Fish is the major dietary contributor of deadly poisons like mercury.[/*] [*] Government research failed to detect any mercury at all in vegetarian diets.[/*] [*] All the omega-3 “good’ fats needed in the diet are easily available from plant oils.[/*] [/list] Laura Scott, VVF Senior Nutritionist says: “Our Fishing for Facts report clearly demonstrates that promoting fish as sexy, fun and healthy to a young audience is misleading and totally irresponsible. Contamination of the oceans and rivers means that fish is a poisoned food – it’s outrageous that anyone should promote it! Plant-based diets, not fish-supplemented diets, are the way forward to promote lifelong health.” -ENDS- Laura Scott will be available for interviews in London on Thursday. For further information contact Laura Scott (MSc Nutrition) or Charlie Powell (M.Med.Sci in Human Nutrition) on 0117 970 5190.
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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