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Washington, DC - The U.S. Tuna Foundation today commended the FDA for their just concluded Food Advisory Committee Meetings on methylmercury and Fish.

The two day meeting covered all aspects of the methylmercury issue as it relates to four groups of individuals - pregnant women, women who might become pregnant, nursing mothers and young children. The meeting including a public comment period, at which time testimony was given from a number of different groups, organizations and companies, including the USTF.

"We feel that the FDA, through these meetings, has provided the Food Advisory Committee with the information needed to make an appropriate recommendation on any changes that may be made to the current advisory," stated USTF spokesperson, Dr. Lillian Beard. "The information we presented will allow FDA and EPA to make a balanced recommendation."

In her presentation to the panel, Dr. Beard expressed her concern that the advisory, targeted specifically toward pregnant women, women who might become pregnant, nursing mothers and young children was in fact pushing this audience away from a healthy and beneficial food source. She cited a recent Harvard Medical School study that showed women of child bearing age, after reading the advisory, reduced their consumption of fish from 2-3 servings a month to only 1-2 fish servings a month.

The FDA, American Heart Association, American Dietetic Association and other organizations recommend 2-3 fish servings a week.

"I am concerned that we are pushing mothers and women of child-bearing age away from a safe and beneficial food such as fish, including canned tuna," continued Dr. Beard. "The benefits of the Omega-3 fatty acids for eye and brain development of a baby are very important. Pushing women away from fish, which provides them with this essential nutrient, would be detrimental."

Other issues related to the hearings were addressed by another USTF representative, John Stiker, Sr. Vice President, Product Management for Bumble Bee Seafood. Mr. Stiker talked about a recent study showing that when pregnant women or women of child-bearing age move away from fish, including canned tuna, they move to less healthy sources of protein such as red meats, processed lunch meats, hot dogs, and cheese.

"A recent study showed that pregnant women were substituting tuna sandwiches for these less healthy alternatives and this concerns us," stated Mr. Stiker. "We want to make sure that this particular group of women is getting the healthiest diet possible for themselves and their babies, and eating fish, including canned tuna should be a part of their balanced diet."

The USTF will provide the FDA and EPA with any additional information and materials they request to finalize this advisory for pregnant women, women who might become pregnant, nursing mothers and young children.

The USTF represents the manufacturers and processors of canned tuna and tuna purse seine boat owners.

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