Should I Be Concerned about Eating Fish and Shellfish?
For most people, the risk from eating contaminated fish and shellfish is not a health concern. However, some groups of people such as pregnant women, children and the elderly are at a greater health risk than others. Additionally, some individuals are at a higher risk simply because they eat substantially more fish than others.
If you are pregnant, a young child, an older adult, or someone with a weakened immune system, to avoid food-borne illness from bacteria (often called “food poisoning”) you are advised not to eat:
- Raw fish, partially cooked seafood (such as shrimp and crab), or refrigerated smoked seafood.
- Raw shellfish (including oysters, clams, mussels, and scallops) or their juices.
For contaminants that can build up in your body over time, like mercury, refer to the applicable high-risk group section.
People who are Pregnant, May Become Pregnant or are Breastfeeding
The nutritional value of fish is important during growth and development before birth, in early infancy for breastfed infants and in childhood. The health risks from mercury in fish and shellfish depend on the amount of fish and shellfish a person eats and the levels of mercury in the specific fish and shellfish. Some fish contain higher levels of mercury that may harm an unborn baby or young child's developing nervous system.
As a result, people who are pregnant or may become pregnant and people who are nursing risk exposing their children to contamination if they eat these fish.
EPA-FDA Advice about Eating Fish: What Pregnant People and Parents Should Know recommends that people who are pregnant, may become pregnant, or are breastfeeding eat 2 to 3 servings (8 to 12 ounces) of fish each week from choices that are lower in mercury. The advice includes a chart that shows how often people and children can eat more than 60 types of fish and shellfish. The fish are grouped into “best choices,” “good choices” and “choices to avoid” based on mercury content.
Children
EPA-FDA Advice about Eating Fish: What Pregnant Women and Parents Should Know includes a chart of more than 60 types of fish and shellfish grouped into “best choices,” “good choices” and “choices to avoid.” The advice recommends that children eat 1 to 2 servings of fish each week from the “best choices” list, and in smaller portion sizes than adults:
- 1 to 3 years old should eat 1 ounce per serving
- 4 to 7 years old should eat 2 ounces per serving
- 8 to 10 years old should eat 3 ounces per serving
- 11 and older can eat adult-sized portions of 4 ounces per serving.
Older Adults and People with Underlying Health Conditions
The elderly and those with underlying health conditions may be more susceptible to adverse health effects from contaminated fish even if contamination levels are low.
Both of these groups are at a greater risk to negative health impacts because their bodies may be less able to remove these contaminants safely from their systems. Therefore, these people should limit their consumption of fish and shellfish that may be contaminated.
People Who Eat More Fish Than the Average Person
Eating fish frequently and/or in large quantities can pose a significant health risk because mercury and other contaminants tend to build up in your body over time. This can expose a person to more contamination.
Sport anglers and recreational fishers, as well as subsistence fishers, are at risk because these groups tend to eat more fish than the average person.
These groups should pay particular attention to the types of fish they consume, the amount of fish and the waters that they eat fish from to ensure that they do not put their health at risk. States, territories, and tribes provide advice on fish caught in waters in their jurisdiction. For current advisories visit the relevant fish advisory website.
Want to Learn More?
EPA's Technical Resources provides more information for fish tissue studies information and other fish consumption advisory data and reports.