Seafood is nutrient-rich and delicious, leading the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to recommend it as part of a healthy diet. However, it also carries health risks, mainly because of heavy metals such as mercury that often exceed safe levels.
As early as October 2021, the FDA, in collaboration with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), issued advice on fish consumption (broadly referring to fish and other seafood) that incorporated suggestions from the 2020–2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The FDA advises children (ages 1 to 11), pregnant women, those who may become pregnant, or those who are breastfeeding to consume fish with lower mercury content according to updated intake recommendations. They have identified seven types of fish with mercury levels that exceed safety standards.
