New guidance on eating shark, swordfish and marlin

Friday 10 May 2002

Pregnant women, women who intend to become pregnant, infants and children under 16 years of age should avoid eating shark, swordfish and marlin.

The Food Standards Agency issued this precautionary advice today (10 May 2002) after carrying out a survey that found relatively high levels of mercury in these fish. Mercury, found in fish in the form of methylmercury, can harm the nervous system of an unborn child. Infants and children may also be at greater risk of mercury poisoning because they eat more food relative to their body size than adults.

Occasionally eating shark, swordfish and marlin as part of a balanced diet is unlikely to cause harm to other adults. However, as a precaution, the Agency is advising that people don't eat more than one portion of these fish a week.

The survey analysed 336 fresh, frozen and processed sea fish and shellfish for mercury, but levels in fish other than shark, swordfish and marlin did not give cause for concern.

The independent expert Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment will consider the results of the survey at its June meeting and issue any further advice if it feels it is needed.