Danish ministry updates fish recommendations

According to the current guidelines, the ministry advises to eat between 200 and 300 grams of fish per week. This number can be translated to two portions per week, widely recognised consumption advice throughout Europe and the US.

“We have not changed the recommendations but we have given new recommendations for those who want to eat more than 300 grams of fish,” ​said Susanne Walter Johannessen, a nutritionist at the Danish Food and Veterinary Administration.

The food department emphasises that if consumers want to eat more than 300g they should eat lean fish such as plaice, cod and flounder, which are typically found on Danish plates. Consumers should also eat farmed fish, such as salmon and trout. However if they consume less than 300g the department recommends they vary their intake between lean fish and oily fish like herring and mackerel, which contain omega-3 fatty acids.

Record intakes​

Fish consumption has never been higher, according to a recent report from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The report, released this month, found that global fish consumption has reached its highest ever level of about 17 kg per person on average, supplying more than 3bn people with at least 15 per cent of their average animal protein intake. Fuelling the rise has been the strong growth of aquaculture, which is set to overtake capture fisheries as the main source of fish.

Concerns over chemical contaminants ​

Despite the increases in consumption, concerns over the potential presence of chemical contaminants like methylmercury - a toxic organic compound of mercury found in the air and in the oceans - continue to prey on the collective consumer conscience.

Traces of mercury are present in most species but in levels that do not put consumers’ health at risk. Yet some fishes have a higher level of mercury - swordfish and tilefish for instance. Therefore they should be either avoided or eaten in smaller quantities.

“People should not be afraid but they should vary their intake. If you want to eat more than 300 grams, then you should eat lean fish or fish from fish farming,” ​said Johannessen.

Recommendations​

By following these recommendations Danish consumers benefit from the nutritional values of eating fish without absorbing too many chemical contaminants.

If a woman is pregnant her fish intake shouldn’t be more than 100 grams of predatory fish per week and no more than one portion of Baltic salmon per month because of its mercury content.

Children aged under 14 should eat no more than 100 grams of predatory fish a week and children under 3 up to 25 grams a week.

Most EU countries have their own fish intake advice depending on fish eating habits but overall European governments guide and warn their consumers on the different risks.