Media Release

30th September 2003

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, two to three times a week can help reduce the risk of a heart attack.”
Seafood Week Nutritional Tips Press Pack. October 2003.

“If you eat more than one portion of oily fish a week, 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:

• 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.