Expert guidance to USDA/FDA reflects review of latest nutrition science

June 15, 2010 Washington, DC Americans eat too little seafood and should be encouraged to eat more for better brain development in babies and heart health in adults, according to the final report of the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee.

The Committee is tasked with reviewing the latest nutrition science and recommending changes to United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The Guidelines serve as the basis for Federal nutrition policy and programs including MyPyramid, the iconic food diagram.

Made up of the countrys top nutrition experts, the Committees report says eating fish can save lives consumption of two servings of seafood per week is associated with reduced cardiac mortality from [coronary heart disease] or sudden death in persons with and without [cardiovascular disease].

To quell controversy and concern about eating fish during pregnancy, the Committee reviewed the latest science and concluded that increasing consumption to at least 2 servings of seafood per week, during pregnancy and lactation raises omega-3 levels and helps improve babies eyesight and brain development.

This is group has done a terrific job of helping bring USDA and FDA up to speed with the current state of nutrition science, said Jennifer McGuire MS, RD, director of nutrition communication for the National Fisheries Institute. The time has come for Americans to understand fish has gotten lost in their diets and its taking a toll on babies and adults alike.

Revisions to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans based on the suggestions published today are expected by the end of the year.

The report comes on the heels a World Health Organization/United Nations recommendation that public health experts better communicate to consumers the health dangers associated with not eating enough fish.

For more than 60 years, the National Fisheries Institute (NFI) and its members have provided American families with the variety of sustainable seafood essential to a healthy diet. For more information visit: www.AboutSeafood.com.

Contact Information

Gavin Gibbons
703.752.8891
ggibbons@nfi.org