United Nations' committee sets tougher limits for mercury in food than United States

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United Nations' committee sets tougher limits for mercury in food than United

States

 

 

WASHINGTON (AP) - The United Nations' World Health and Food and Agriculture

organizations have recommended tougher standards for levels of mercury in food,

citing concerns that pregnant women who eat fish are exposing their children to

harmful levels.

The Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives on Friday recommended the

reduction of weekly methyl mercury intake levels to 1.6 micrograms per kilograms

of bodyweight - nearly half the original standard of 3.3 micrograms per

kilograms.

The recommendation by the panel is more stringent than the weekly standard of

2.8 micrograms of mercury per kilogram set by the U.S. Food and Drug

Administration.

Scientists say children exposed to high levels of mercury when they're in the

womb are at risk of developing disabilities.

FDA officials said they will consider the commission's latest recommendations.

The agency is under pressure from consumer groups to change its standard.

The Environmental Working Group, a consumer watchdog organization, said the

committee had taken an important step toward protecting pregnant women and their

unborn children and the United States should consider doing the same.

``It sort of isolates the FDA as the weakest standard in the world,'' said

Richard Wiles, senior vice president for the group. ``It leaves us

unprotected.''

Michael Bender, director of the Mercury Policy Project, said the new

recommendations ``are more reflective of the latest science.''

``While fish is a good source of protein, we urge caution when consuming

predatory fish with higher mercury levels,'' Bender said.

The FDA says mercury vapors emanating from burned industrial waste may change

into a more dangerous form, methyl mercury, when they enter water bodies. The

new mercury form may taint fish, and cooking does not get rid of it.

Scientists have warned women to beware of possibly harmful levels of methyl

mercury in fish - but also say that there is no need for them to completely

remove the highly nutritious food from diets. In its recommendation Friday, the

committee also underscored fish's value as a good source of protein.

The U.S. Tuna Association and National Food Processors' Association did not

immediately return phone calls seeking comment.

On the Net:

Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives:

http://www.codexalimentarius.net/jecfa.stm

Food and Drug Administration: http://www.fda.gov

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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