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Mercury in fish - hazard for small children
A report in the Medical Journal of Australia has highlighted that small children may be exposed to dangerous levels of mercury if they eat too much of certain fish.
The study examined three cases in Sydney where children aged between 15 months and two years were found to have elevated mercury levels caused by eating up to five times the recommended dietary intake for fish.
The New South Wales Department of Health has issued a media release, Small fish good for small children, which describes the benefits of fish consumption together with the recommended intake of fish for children, and pregnant or breastfeeding women.
The MJA report is: Toxic levels of mercury in Chinese infants eating fish congee
Stephen J Corbett and Christopher C S Poon - Med J Aust 2008; 188 (1): 59-60.
Additional information regarding Australian guidelines and food standards for fish and mercury levels is available from the Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) website.
Created January 16 2008
Additional information regarding Australian guidelines and food standards for fish and mercury levels is available from the Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) website.
Created January 16 2008
