Food Safety Hot Topics
Cook the catch of the day with caution
LITTLE ROCK – Arkansas boasts some of the most beautiful and bountiful lakes,
rivers and streams in the country, and fishing is one of our favorite pastimes.
Another favorite pastime is eating fish, and judging from the fish-fry parties
and trout recipes, Arkansans know how to prepare the catch of the day.
"Fish in general is a good choice for a healthy diet because it is low in fat
and helps keep cholesterol levels in check," says Dr. Russ Kennedy, health and
aging specialist with the U of A Cooperative Extension Service. "Lately there
have been some concerns about eating fish caught in local lakes and streams
because of mercury poisoning. However, understanding what is safe and what is
not will help minimize any risk that mercury contamination may cause."
According to the Food and Drug Administration, pregnant women or women who
plan to become pregnant should avoid eating fish such as swordfish, shark,
tilefish and king mackerel because of higher concentrations of mercury. However,
low-mercury fish such as shrimp, farm-raised catfish and trout, and crawfish are
healthy options to try.
"Situations such as runoff from farms and sewage treatment plants are what
make us concerned about contaminated freshwater fish," Kennedy notes. "The best
thing to do if you catch fish in Arkansas waters is to check with the Arkansas
Game and Fish Commission, the Arkansas Department of Health or the Environmental
Protection Agency to see if there are any fish consumption notices. In general,
the smaller the fish, the fewer the contaminants in the flesh so the fewer you
will consume."
Certain types of fish, such as bream, crappie, buffalo, channel catfish and
red horse/sucker, have the least amount of mercury in their systems because they
don’t eat other fish, which may contain more mercury. These types are safer to
consume than fish such as bass, gar, bowfin, and blue and flathead catfish because these fish build up more
mercury in their systems by eating other fish with mercury contaminates.
For more information about health, safety and nutrition, visit extension's
Web site, www.uaex.edu, or contact your county extension agent. The Cooperative
Extension Service is part of the U of A Division of Agriculture.
Related Links:
By Kelli Reep
For the Cooperative Extension Service
U of A Division of Agriculture
Media Contact: Lamar James
Extension Communications Specialist
U of A Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
(501) 671-2187 or (501) 753-0207
ljames@uaex.edu
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