{"id":35753,"date":"2019-11-24T13:33:24","date_gmt":"2019-11-24T12:33:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/getindya.com\/?p=35753"},"modified":"2026-11-03T17:27:13","modified_gmt":"2026-11-03T16:27:13","slug":"fish-mercury-consumption-guidance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/getindya.com\/en\/fish-mercury-consumption-guidance\/","title":{"rendered":"Fish and mercury: what you need to know"},"content":{"rendered":"

Fish and mercury: should we be concerned? There is no need for alarm, but species and individual circumstances matter. Spain\u2019s food safety agency AESAN, formerly AECOSAN<\/span>, provides recommendations to help us enjoy fish while limiting mercury exposure.<\/span><\/p>\n

Mercury and its relationship with fish<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Mercury is a toxic environmental contaminant. Methylmercury can affect the developing nervous system and cross the placenta, making exposure particularly relevant during pregnancy and childhood.<\/span><\/p>\n

How does it reach fish? Mercury released into the environment enters aquatic food chains. Larger, longer-lived predatory species can accumulate higher concentrations.<\/span><\/p>\n

With suitable choices, fish can be a safe and nutritious part of the diet<\/strong>. Mercury risks have been known for decades, and European food legislation sets mandatory maximum levels.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Here we explain the species of concern, vulnerable groups, intake recommendations and benefits of including fish.<\/span><\/p>\n

Fish classified by mercury content<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Species with <\/span>high mercury content<\/b> include swordfish, bluefin tuna (<\/span>Thunnus thynnus)<\/span><\/i>, shark species such as dogfish, mako, spiny dogfish, small-spotted catshark and blue shark, and pike.<\/span><\/p>\n

Species with <\/span>low mercury content<\/b> include pollack<\/span>, anchovy<\/span>, herring<\/span>, cod<\/span>, blue whiting<\/span>, cockles<\/span>, mackerel<\/span>, squid<\/span>, shrimp<\/span>, crab<\/span>, purple dye murex<\/span>, saithe or coley<\/span>, carp<\/span>, small squid<\/span>, clams<\/span>, cuttlefish<\/span>, langoustines, wedge clams<\/span><\/span>, gilthead sea bream<\/span>, sprat<\/span>, prawns<\/span>, horse mackerel<\/span>, spiny lobster<\/span>, king prawns<\/span>, European sole<\/span>, dab<\/span>, sea bass<\/span>, mussels<\/span>, whiting<\/span>, hake<\/span>, razor clams<\/span>, oysters<\/span>, pomfret<\/span>, flounder<\/span>, flying squid and octopus<\/span>, small shrimp<\/span>, Atlantic salmon<\/span>, Pacific salmon<\/span>, sardines<\/span>, round sardinella<\/span>, Madeiran sardinella<\/span>, plaice<\/span> and trout<\/span>. AESAN treats species not specifically listed as having medium mercury content<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

IMPORTANT: <\/strong>For the general population, AESAN recommends 3\u20134 fish servings a week, varying species and alternating white and oily fish. This does not mean eating high-mercury species at every serving.<\/b><\/p>\n

For context:<\/p>\n