Choice Online , 2001. Due to strict quarantine and feeding practices however, we can be fairly confident that Australia is BSE free. The proposed changes would allow the Imported Food Program of the Australian Quarantine Inspection Service and the New Zealand Ministry of Health to enforce the change by applying certification criteria to imported foods thus reducing the risk of BSE being transmitted to Australia. A statement from the Australian New Zealand Food Authority provides recommendations to pregnant women about consumption of fish. In most individuals, food, and in particular fish, is the major source of exposure to mercury.
Mercury can be harmful to the nervous system at high levels of exposure.
Symptoms are generally not apparent until after the baby is born and tend to be quite subtle, such as delays in walking and talking. Most people are not exposed to levels of mercury high enough to be damaging, however research indicates that the unborn fetus may be more sensitive to the effects of mercury from food. The level of mercury differs in different species of fish, however the types of fish mentioned above tend to live longer, are large in size and are at the top of the food chain, therefore they may accumulate higher levels of mercury. This is not to discourage women from eating fish during pregnancy, as fish is a good source of protein, is low in saturated fat, and high in the good omega 3 oils. Pregnant women can eat as much other fish as they like.