New oily fish advice issued

Wednesday 23 June 2004

The Food Standards Agency has issued new advice on eating oily fish, recommending for the first time maximum levels at which the health benefits clearly outweigh the possible risks from dioxins. You can now watch a webcast of the press briefing held on 24 June to explain the new advice.

Click here to view the webcast

Oily fish and heart health

There is good evidence that eating oily fish reduces the risk of death from heart disease, which killed 117,500 people in 2002.

On average, people in the UK eat a third of a portion of oily fish a week. Seven out of ten don't eat any fish at all.

Our advice

The Agency is recommending that girls and women who might have a child one day, and women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, can have up to two portions of oily fish a week. Other women, men and boys can have up to four portions of oily fish a week.

In June 2003, the Agency asked its independent expert advisers to examine the evidence on the risks and benefits of eating oily fish. The new advice is based on their findings.

FSA Chair Sir John Krebs said: 'Eating oily fish is a simple way for people to reduce the risks of heart disease. Eating just one portion of oily fish a week has clear-cut health benefits. This extensive review of the scientific evidence has reduced uncertainty about how many oily fish people can safely eat without the benefits being outweighed by the risks.'