federal agencies at odds over fish consumption (& BPA)

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Federal agencies at odds over fish consumption

FDA report argues people should eat more; EPA calls study `inadequate'

The Associated Press

updated 6:32 p.m. ET, Fri., Dec. 12, 2008

WASHINGTON - For years, the federal government has recommended that

pregnant women and young children limit their consumption of fish to

avoid exposure to potentially harmful amounts of mercury.

Now, two top consumer protection agencies are at odds on whether that

advice should be reconsidered to encourage all people to eat more

fish, in order to promote healthy hearts.

The Food and Drug Administration has been circulating a draft report

within the government that argues the health benefits of eating fish

outweigh the potential ill effects of mercury. But the Environmental

Protection Agency has fired off a memo to the White House calling the

270-page FDA study " scientifically flawed and inadequate " and

an " oversimplification " lacking analytical rigor.

Environmental groups are crying foul. They say it's a sneak attempt

to undercut important public health advice in the waning hours of a

Bush administration that has treated science as a stepchild.

" The FDA was once a fearsome protector of the public health. Now it's

nothing more than a patsy for polluters, " Wiles, executive

director of the Environmental Working Group, said in a statement.

The food industry is praising the FDA's shift. One organization, the

Center for Consumer Freedom, called it " long overdue and a huge

public-health victory " that " just might be the best Christmas present

health-conscious Americans could hope for. "

The interagency feud spilled into the open Friday when the

Environmental Working Group released copies of the dueling memos. The

dispute was first reported by the Washington Post.

More controversy

The FDA is embroiled in another controversy over the science of food

safety. Recently, a panel of outside advisers challenged the agency

on bisphenol A, or BPA, a chemical used to make plastic for food

packaging and other consumers goods. The independent experts said

that FDA's conclusion that low doses of BPA are safe was

scientifically flawed.

The battle over mercury is now attracting the interest of

Congress. " FDA should not change anything it cannot back up with the

best science, because we know that mercury can cause brain and

cardiovascular damage, " said Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., who chairs

the Environment and Public Works Committee. " FDA should not play

politics with the health of our families. "

At the FDA, officials sought to tamp down the controversy and dispel

concerns that the agency is about to toss out the government's

current mercury guidance.

" It would be a mistake to assume that this draft report represents

the FDA's official position because a final determination on these

matters has not been reached, " said spokesman

Herndon. " Following the discussion among government agencies, FDA

intends to seek public comment. This will all be done in a very

public and transparent manner, and the FDA will make no final

determination until all the relevant comments and scientific analysis

has been carefully considered. "

Mercury occurs naturally and is also released in the environment

through pollution. Very high levels in the bloodstream can damage the

nervous system of developing fetuses and young children, causing

learning disabilities and other problems. Fish absorb mercury in the

water and as they feed on plankton and other smaller fish. Some fish,

like king mackerel and swordfish, accumulate higher levels of mercury.

New indications

Fish and shellfish are the biggest sources of human exposure to

mercury. Fetuses and young children are the most susceptible to harm.

About 8 percent of U.S. women of childbearing age have enough mercury

in their blood to be at risk of having babies with subtle learning

disabilities, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

estimates.

Because of such concerns, the FDA and EPA have recommended that women

of child-bearing age and young children not eat shark, swordfish,

king mackerel or tilefish, which contain high levels of mercury. The

agencies also advised that they eat no more than two meals a week of

fish and shellfish that are lower in mercury, a total of 12 ounces.

And since " white " albacore tuna has more mercury than chunk light

tuna, they recommended no more than six ounces a week.

The FDA's draft report said the latest studies seem to indicate that

the risks may not be as dire as previously thought. The agency also

sought to weigh the risk of mercury against the benefits of eating

more fish.

Current research suggests " a beneficial impact on fetal

neurodevelopment from the mother's consumption of fish, even though

they contain methylmercury, " the report said.

" The net effect is not necessarily adverse, and could in fact be

beneficial, " it added.

But the EPA said, " this FDA report bases its conclusions on models

that use very limited inputs from studies that have significant

problems for risk analysis. "

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material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

URL: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28200156/