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Politics : Stockman Scott's Political Debate Porch -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: lurqer who wrote (32882)	12/16/2003 10:42:29 PM
From: T L Comiskey	Respond to of 89467

Sorry Charlie......... Editorial ..Milwaukee Journal : FDA needs a tuna tuneup From the Journal Sentinel Posted: Dec. 16, 2003 The fondness for fish among Wisconsinites - who are not among the planet's most health-conscious eaters - is generally a good thing; fish is a nutritious food that also can be heart-healthy and important for fetal brain development. But as anyone who fishes in Wisconsin knows, fish also contain mercury, so in this case, too much of a good thing can be a really bad thing, especially in the case of vulnerable people such as pregnant women. The Food and Drug Administration is aware of that and issues warnings, for example, to pregnant women on the dangers of mercury levels in tuna. But consumer advocate groups say the warnings aren't strong enough, and, given the FDA's own findings, it would appear the consumer advocates have a point. In 2002, FDA advisers recommended that the agency warn pregnant women that eating two 6-ounce cans of tuna a week is OK if that's the only fish they eat that week; one can is the limit if other kinds of fish are eaten. New data released last week show that more expensive white, or albacore, tuna contains almost three times as much mercury as cheaper types of canned tuna. But drafts of new consumer advice the agency is planning to issue in the spring don't spell out the difference between albacore and cheaper tuna, nor do they heed the 2002 recommendation. While the warnings will say that canned albacore and tuna steaks "generally contain higher levels of mercury" than the cheaper stuff, consumers deserve better information than that from an agency (paid for with tax dollars) that is supposed to keep consumers aware of food dangers. The FDA also could provide a little more help by suggesting lower-mercury options, such as crab, catfish, flounder, salmon and shrimp. "The message should be, 'Eat more fish for your health while minimizing your mercury intake,' " Consumers Union scientist Edward Groth told The Associated Press. That does seem like a sensible message, and it's one the FDA could incorporate into a stronger advisory in the spring.