From foodconsumer.org
High levels of mercury found in tuna sushi
By Ben Wasserman
Jan 23, 2008 - 9:00:21 PM
Editor's note: We apologize that there is an error in the original article.
"the 1-ppm limit set by the government agencies is
ten times higher than the actual level that triggers adverse effects" should be
"the 1-ppm limit set by the government agencies is
ten times lower than the actual level that triggers adverse effects."
The error has been corrected.
WEDNESDAY JAN 23, 2008 (Foodconsumer.org) -- A study by the New York Times shows that sushi sold in many restaurants in the New York City contains risky levels of mercury, up to 1.4 parts per million (ppm) or 0.4 ppm higher than the limit set by the U.S. government.
The New York Times study sampled and tested sushi from 20 restaurants and found sushi from 5 of them had mercury at levels high enough for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to take legal action to pull off the fish used in sushi from the market.
The mercury tests conducted in October covered some of the city's well-known sushi restaurants including Drew Nieporent’s Nobu Next Door, part of the famed Nobu restaurant chain, as well as the high-end grocer, Gourmet Garage, Newsinferno.com reported.
Sushi with higher than 1 ppm of mercury came from the Manhattan restaurants Nobu Next Door, Sushi Seki, Sushi of Gari and Blue Ribbon Sushi and the food store Gourmet Garage. The highest level of mercury (1.4 ppm) was found in tuna from Blue Robbon Sushi and the sushi with the lowest level of mercury was purchased from Fairway.
Higher levels of mercury were often found in the higher-priced bluefin tuna sushi, which is often served at the most prestigious eateries. Food stores were less likely to carry the blue fin tuna sushi.
In comparison, yellowfin and albacore contain relatively lower levels of mercury, the New York Times found. Some stores in the study said the tuna in their sushi was yellowfin.
Mercury in certain types of fish is a concern to some consumers. The FDA and Environmental Protection Agency has issued a joint fish consumption advisory saying that consumers should avoid consuming shark, swordfish, king mackerel, and tilefish which carry high levels of mercury.
But the agencies also say that "Levels of mercury in other fish can vary. You can safely eat up to 12 ounces (2 to 3 meals) of other purchased fish and shellfish a week. Mix up the types of fish and shellfish you eat and do not eat the same type of fish and shellfish more than once a week."
In addition, the FDA and EPA advise that "Check local advisories about the safety of fish caught by family and friend in your local rivers and streams. If no advice is available, you can safely eat up to 6 ounces (one meal) per week of fish you catch from local waters, but don't consume any other fish during that week."
The Environmental Working Group, a science-based not-for-profit organization that promotes environmental health, criticized the government's advisory saying that some tuna in the safe list actually contains risky levels of mercury. For details about recommendations on fish consumption by the organization, visit www.ewg.org
The New York Times study caught attention of an organization called Center For Consumer Freedom which issued a press release today Jan 23 saying that the New York Times should retract error-filled mercury story.
The organization, which defends against many studies or findings that could potentially affect consumers' eating habits, said in its statement that
the 1-ppm limit set by the government agencies is
ten times lower than the actual level that triggers adverse effects.
Mercury is a neurotoxin which is believed to have the biggest negative impact on fetuses and children whose brains are still in development although high intake of mercury through foods can also significantly affect adults.
Particularly pregnant women should be aware of the risk associated with fish consumption and avoid consuming the risky types of fish, a health advocate affiliated with foodconsumer.org suggests. Those who believe eating fish is good for children's brains may consider using quality fish oil or cod liver oil during pregnancy.
For more information on what fish to eat, read http://www.ewg.org/safefishlist
For more information on FDA/EPA fish consumption advisory, read http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/admehg3.html