Most likely, parents and teachers alike told kids fish were a great source of nutrition because they contained proteins, vitamins and minerals. And fish were the ultimate brain food, mentors would always say. But current research being conducted by the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control tempers the blanket endorsement for eating fish by warning of health hazards that even surprised researchers.
Fetuses exposed to methyl mercury in the womb are highly susceptible to health problems.
The FDA reports nearly all fish contain trace amounts of methyl mercury, with some having more than others. Their seafood specialists say that eating a variety of fish, the normal pattern of consumption, does not put anyone in danger of mercury poisoning. Not everyone agrees, but the FDA has established guidelines setting the level at 1 ppm, which is about 10 times lower than the lowest level at which adverse effects were found to occur in adults. The limit was established taking into consideration the types of fish people eat, the levels of methyl mercury present in each species and the amounts of fish that are normally consumed. Actually, mercury is virtually everywhere.