Small fish good for small children
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Reba Meagher MP
NSW Minister for Health
Hon. Ian Macdonald MLC
Minister for Primary Industries Minister for Energy
Minister for Mineral Resources
Minister for State Development
The consumption of some large fish species should be avoided for small children due to the risk of excess levels of mercury, according to new research published in the Medical Journal of Australia.
The study, co-authored by Dr Stephen Corbett, Director of the Centre for Population Health at Sydney West Area Health Service, examines three cases in Sydney where children aged between 15 months and two years were found to have elevated mercury levels due to eating fish up to five times above the recommended dietary intake.
Children in all three cases were fed congee, a rice and fish porridge which is used in some Asian communities as a weaning food. Congee is also called juk (in Korea) and chao (in Vietnam). The toddlers continued with high fish consumption after weaning.
NSW Minister for Health, Reba Meagher, said the study reinforced current advice that while parents and carers should include 2-3 serves of fish per week in their children’s diet, too much of certain types of fish can be detrimental to their children’s health.
“Excess levels of mercury have been linked to health disorders in children including developmental delay and neurological problems,” Ms Meagher said.
“Incorporating 2-3 serves of fish per week into kids’ diets can be a good thing but some parents may be overdoing it with certain species known to be high in mercury.
“That’s why we need to reinforce the simple message that small fish are good for small children.”
Dr Corbett said it was important to remember the health benefits of eating fish.
“Including fish in an infant’s diet has many health benefits including building a strong heart and nervous system. But some fish also may contain mercury which is not good for young, developing children,” Dr Corbett said.“It is important to be aware how children can enjoy the many important benefits of seafood while reducing exposure to mercury.”
Because mercury can affect the development of unborn babies and young children, pregnant and breastfeeding women and parents and carers of children up to 6 years old should manage how much of each fish species they eat, and how often.
Acting Minister for Primary Industries, Linda Burney, said parents and carers of children up to 6 years old should manage how much of each fish species they eat, and how often.
“An easy rule for choosing the best fish for children is that when whole, the fish should be small enough to fit onto a plate, and I would also like to encourage people over the holiday period to buy local product,” Ms Burney said.
“Pregnant and breastfeeding women are reminded they should also follow these guidelines, because mercury can affect the development of unborn babies and young children.”
Chief Scientist at the NSW Food Authority, Dr Lisa Szabo, said most fish are low in mercury however longer lived predatory fish tend to build up their mercury levels.
“These fish such as shark or flake, swordfish, marlin and broadbill should not be included in the diet of small children. If they are eaten they should be limited to one serve a fortnight with no other fish eaten that fortnight,” Dr Szabo said.
“Examples of low mercury fish that are commonly available include bream, rainbow trout, ocean trout, flathead, kingfish and whiting. Canned tuna and salmon are also good low mercury options.
“Fish products such as fish fingers, patties, cakes, balls and bakes are made from a variety of fish including fish low in mercury such as hoki and hake.
“If parents or carers are not sure what fish is included in food they should check the label or ask the person serving.”
Fish are a valuable source of protein, minerals, vitamin B12, iodine and are low in saturated fat and contain omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids are important for the development of the central nervous system in babies, before and after they are born.
Recommended intake of fish
Children up to 6 years - 1 serve equals 75g, or half of a medium sized filletPregnant and breastfeeding women, women planning pregnancy - 1 serve equals a medium-sized fillet of 150g
- 2-3 serves per week of any fish and seafood not listed below
OR - 1 serve per fortnight of shark (flake) or billfish (broadbill, swordfish and marlin) and no other fish that fortnight
OR - 1 serve per week of orange roughy (deep sea perch) or catfish and no other fish that week.
Mercury intake from fish is not an issue for other adults.
Resources
NSW Health and the NSW Food Authority have resources for parents, carers and pregnant women translated into many languages.
NSW Health - Having a Baby book, see http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/pubs/2006/having_a_baby.html
NSW Food Authority - safe fish eating, see http://www.foodauthority.nsw.gov.au/consumer/pregnancyanswers.asp
http://www.foodauthority.nsw.gov.au/aboutus/media-releases/mr-6-jan-08-small-fish-best-for-small-children/
