"Federal officials on Tuesday announced major changes in advice to pregnant and breastfeeding women by recommending consumption of at least 8 ounces of low-mercury fish per week.

It is the first time that the Environmental Protection Agency and Food and Drug Administration have issued recommendations on the minimum amount of fish that pregnant women and children should eat. The previous advisory, issued in 2004, included only maximum amounts to protect their fetuses and young children from mercury, which can harm developing brains and reduce IQs.

'Eating fish with lower levels of mercury provides numerous health and dietary benefits,' Nancy Stoner, the EPA's acting assistant administrator for the Office of Water, said in a statement. 'This updated advice will help pregnant women and mothers make informed decisions about the right amount and right kinds of fish to eat during important times in their lives and their children’s lives.'"

Marla Cone and Brian Bienkowski report for Environmental Health News June 10, 2014. [2]

SEE ALSO:

"FDA Advises Pregnant Women To Eat More Low-Mercury Fish" (Reuters) [3]

"Attention, Pregnant Women: Eat More Fish But Avoid Fish With Mercury" (Washington Post) [4]

"Moms And Tykes Should Eat More Fish Low In Mercury, Says FDA" (NPR) [5]

"FDA Criticized for New Advice on Eating Fish During Pregnancy" (Boston Globe) [6]

"FDA: Pregnant Women Should Eat Low-Mercury Seafood" (AP) [7]