The cart wheels shriek to a stop along the seafood aisle. That mental shopping list you had meant to write down appears and disappears in your mind. Dinner. What to make for dinner.
Fish? You are instantly hooked on the idea of grilled salmon for dinner. But wait, isn’t there mercury in fish? Should you not buy that salmon? But, it’s on sale- what a catch!
So, you don’t know the FDA warnings. Rest assured, you are not alone. The warnings against seafood have turned many people away from fish consumption altogether- when it can be a very healthy food choice.
In March 2004, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued the following advice for women who might become pregnant, women who are pregnant, nursing mothers and young children:
1. Do not eat Shark, Swordfish, King Mackerel or Tilefish because they contain high levels of mercury.
2. Eat up to 12 ounces (2 average meals) a week of a variety of fish and shellfish that are lower in mercury (shrimp, canned light tuna, salmon, pollock, and catfish).
Got that memorized? In addition to all those other things you need to pick up at the supermarket? Doubtful. That’s why a campaign is currently underway to require grocery stores to post signs at seafood sections with the FDA advisories.
There’s a lot of myths swimming around in regards to mercury. Shoppers need to know the facts- and what better way to inform the public then with warning signs at the seafood aisles? Certain grocery chains already do (Whole Foods, Safeway, and Wild Oats), thanks in part to the efforts of Oceana, a conservation group. However, other grocery stores (Costco, Giant, and Weis) make you feel like a fish out of water when it comes knowing what seafood is best for your family.
So, as you’re shopping, you notice a large sign with the warnings. You settle for the discounted Alaskan Wild Salmon, and then confidently, you proceed to the next aisle, desserts. It could be as easy as 1,2,3. Or one fish, two fish, red fish, blue fish.
Check out which Grocery Stores are on the Green List.
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1 comment:
Thank you for your comment. Spread the word amongst your friends and neighbours!!
Henry
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