CONSUMPTION ADVICE REGARDING MERCURY IN FROM THE SPANISH AGENCY FOR FOOD SAFETY AND NUTRITION (AESAN)

POPULATION AT RISK

WOMEN WHO ARE WITH AVOID HIGH LEVELS OF WHO MAY PREGNANT, MERCURY CONSUMPTION BECOME PREGNANT OR WHO

3-4 SERVING OF FISH PER WEEK ARE BREASTFEEDING. SPECIES WITH LOW TO Try to vary between CHILDREN 0-10 YEARS MEDIUM LEVELS white fish and oily fish OLD.

SPECIES WITH LIMIT CONSUMPTION TO HIGH LEVELS OF 120 grams PER MONTH CHILDREN BETWEEN MERCURY

10 - 14 YEARS 3-4 SERVING OF FISH PER WEEK SPECIES WITH LOW TO MEDIUM

LEVELS

GENERAL POPULATION 3 - 4 SERVING OF FISH ALL PER WEEK SPECIES Try to vary between white fish and oily fish.

SPECIES

SPECIES WITH HIGH MERCURY LEVELS: , Bluefin , (Thunnus thynnus), (dogfish, porbeagle, spiny dogfish, spotted dogfish and blue shark), and Pike.

SPECIES WITH LOW MERCURY LEVELS: , Atlantic , Atlantic , Atlantic

, Atlantic , Blue jack mackerel, Blue mussel, Blue whiting, Clam, Common , Common dab, Common octopus, Common prawn, Common prawn, Common , Common spiny lobster, Common squids, Cuttlefish, Donax clams, European seabass, Fringe-scale sardinella, Giant

cupped oyster, Gilthead seabream, Great tit, Hake, Hen fish, Lemon sole, Marine crab, Murex, Norway lobster, Pacific salmon, Painted river prawn, Penaeus shrimps, Pollack, Ray's bream, Razor shell, , Sardinops, Sea , Short anchovy, Shrimp, , Squid, Stoker, Striped

venus and Whiting. Other products not specifically mentioned shall be understood to have MEDIUM LEVELS of mercury.

What is mercury? Is it safe to eat fish? Mercury is an environmental pollutant that is found in our foods due to its natural presence in the Yes. Eating fish is safe and healthy.

Earth’s crust and as a result of human activity. It is In European food legislation, there are mainly present in fish in the form . mandatory maximum mercury limits

controlled by health authorities that guarantee 6

- Why are we talking about mercury the safe consumption of foods by the population. and fish? Furthermore, fish consumption comes with 013 - Starting with its release into the environment, health benefits given that it provides

19 energy, is a source of proteins of high - mercury is present in sea and rivers water and may biological value and contributes to the intake be concentrated, in varying proportions, in fish. The of essential nutrients such as iodine, amount of is related to its selenium, calcium, and A and D. It position in the food chain. This means that also has a good lipid profile, providing long large, long-lived , such as chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty swordfish, shark, red tuna and pike have acids, a component of the dietary patterns associated with good health, and few saturated NIPO online: 732 higher mercury levels. This is known as fatty acids.

bioaccumulation. The European Food Safety Authority 2019 - What risks does mercury pose to (EFSA) has associated normal fish our health? consumption during pregnancy with Mercury may affect the developing central beneficial effects on neurodevelopment in 32826 - nervous system by direct exposure after children and with a reduced risk of M

: consuming certain foods, or indirectly as it can mortality from coronary heart disease in cross the placenta. It may also be present in adults. . Therefore, women who are pregnant or who may become pregnant, those who are breastfeeding and young children are the most

Statutorydeposit vulnerable population to mercury.

#MercurioAESAN