Fish & Environmental Toxins

Environmental toxins such as methylmercury and PCBs are in higher concentrations in certain types of fish. Where the fish is caught and how it's raised (farm-raised versus wild-caught) can also influence the amount of toxins it contains. While overall fish consumption is important for health, being a savvy shopper and choosing fish that keep exposure low is also important. Here are a few tips to consider when shopping for fish:⁷

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• Choose fish with the highest amount of omega-3 fatty acids, with the lowest amount of environmental toxins.

• The Monterey Bay Aquarium has a helpful search tool to guide you in making the best sustainably caught seafood choices 
• FDA also published a list that ranks seafood from “best choice” to “avoid”

• Eat a diverse set of fish, not just large amounts of one type
• Purchase fish produced in the U.S. where it is subject to regulatory oversight

• Some imported fish is farm-raised and not consistently inspected

• Wild caught is often preferred to farm-raised

• Not all farm-raised fish are created equal. While some producers may cultivate fish in sanitary conditions, not all do

• When eating freshwater fish, keep a close eye on advisories near you by visiting this EPA search tool

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Ultimately, nutrition scientists conclude it’s important to get 2-3 servings of “fatty” fish per week because the benefits outweigh the risks.⁸ But, shopping smart when selecting seafood brings added peace of mind.

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*References available in PDF download*