FDA, EPA issue advisory: pregnant women warned about fish consumption; Eat no more than 12 ounces of fish per week. Special limits placed on albacore.(News)

WASHINGTON -- Women who are pregnant or lactating and those who may become pregnant should eat no more than 12 ounces (two average meals) of a variety of fish and shellfish per week, a new federal advisory recommends.

No more than 6 of those 12 ounces should be in the form of albacore "white" tuna, according to the advisory, which was issued by the Food and Drug Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency last month.

Five of the most commonly eaten fish that are low in mercury are shrimp, canned light tuna, salmon, pollock, and catfish. Albacore tuna contains more mercury, so albacore consumption was limited to 6 ounces (one average meal) per week.

Women in these groups should eat no shark, swordfish, king mackerel, or tilefish, which contain high levels of mercury, the document says, reiterating a recommendation made in an advisory issued by the FDA in 2001.

In addition, these women should check local advisories about the safety of fish caught by family and friends in local lakes, rivers, and coastal areas. If no advice is available, these groups can eat up to 6 ounces per week of fish caught from local waters, but they should not consume any other fish during the week.

"Fish and shellfish are an important part of a healthy diet." Dr. David Acheson, chief medical officer and director of food safety and security at FDA's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, said at press conference sponsored by the FDA and EPA.

A diet of fish and shellfish contributes to cardiovascular health and to children's proper health and development. Dr. Acheson said, and the new advisory guides women and children with advice on how to continue to eat fish while' minimizing risks from methylmercury.