<![CDATA[Grist - Comment Feed for Under pressure from Big Canned Tuna, FDA lax in mercury regulation]]> Grist Comment Feed en Comment #1 by Green Granny http://www.grist.org/article/tuna2/ Thu, 04 Sep 2008 08:46:52 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/tuna2/1 Who do they protect?

So, who is the FDA supposed to protect?  Is it the American consumer or the food industry?  Apparently, after many years of coprotocracy, its the food industry.

For your own safety, follow what the EU does.  If the EU labels a product potentially harmful or out-right bans it, avoid consuming that product.

As for the arguments about cost to American manufacturers of increased regulation -- they happily sell different, safer versions of their products in Europe.  For example, Kellogg's (Kashi & Morning Star) has committed to not use GM sugar in its products marketed in Europe -- but is using it here.

]]> Who do they protect?

So, who is the FDA supposed to protect?  Is it the American consumer or the food industry?  Apparently, after many years of coprotocracy, its the food industry.

For your own safety, follow what the EU does.  If the EU labels a product potentially harmful or out-right bans it, avoid consuming that product.

As for the arguments about cost to American manufacturers of increased regulation -- they happily sell different, safer versions of their products in Europe.  For example, Kellogg's (Kashi & Morning Star) has committed to not use GM sugar in its products marketed in Europe -- but is using it here.

]]> Comment #2 by phenix http://www.grist.org/article/tuna2/ Fri, 05 Sep 2008 06:40:31 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/tuna2/2 The Selenium in Fish Protects You from Mercury!!

The question is whether to eat fish, or not.

A portion of the mercury in the environment becomes methylmercury which can have negative effects on the nervous system. Methylmercury is most often introduced into humans through the consumption of fish. Because of these concerns, fish advisories are widespread.

However, fish provides many essential nutrients and minerals, including dietary selenium. Studies at the Energy & Environmental Research Center (EERC) Center for Air Toxic Metals® (CATM®) are investigating the critical issue of interactions between dietary selenium and mercury. It appears from these studies that the critical issue is having sufficient levels of selenium in the diet.  Selenium binds tightly with the mercury making it inert.

Results seem to show that mercury's effects are not apparent when adequate or rich sources of selenium are consumed at the same time.  Note that eating whale meat, a custom of the Faroe Islanders, resulted in mercury poisoning.  Whale meat is very high in mercury, and deficient in selenium.

While these studies are ongoing, their results help to explain mercury's toxic effects and lead to the conclusion that consumption of ocean fish may not pose as great a risk as once thought, and indeed may be an essential source of selenium for protection from other sources of mercury in the diet.  Moreover, avoidance of fish can deprive the body of the beneficial effects of many important nutrients, including selenium and omega-3 fatty acids.  

For more information, see http://www.undeerc.org/catm/newsletters.html (Volume 12 Issues #2)

]]> The Selenium in Fish Protects You from Mercury!!

The question is whether to eat fish, or not.

A portion of the mercury in the environment becomes methylmercury which can have negative effects on the nervous system. Methylmercury is most often introduced into humans through the consumption of fish. Because of these concerns, fish advisories are widespread.

However, fish provides many essential nutrients and minerals, including dietary selenium. Studies at the Energy & Environmental Research Center (EERC) Center for Air Toxic Metals® (CATM®) are investigating the critical issue of interactions between dietary selenium and mercury. It appears from these studies that the critical issue is having sufficient levels of selenium in the diet.  Selenium binds tightly with the mercury making it inert.

Results seem to show that mercury's effects are not apparent when adequate or rich sources of selenium are consumed at the same time.  Note that eating whale meat, a custom of the Faroe Islanders, resulted in mercury poisoning.  Whale meat is very high in mercury, and deficient in selenium.

While these studies are ongoing, their results help to explain mercury's toxic effects and lead to the conclusion that consumption of ocean fish may not pose as great a risk as once thought, and indeed may be an essential source of selenium for protection from other sources of mercury in the diet.  Moreover, avoidance of fish can deprive the body of the beneficial effects of many important nutrients, including selenium and omega-3 fatty acids.  

For more information, see http://www.undeerc.org/catm/newsletters.html (Volume 12 Issues #2)

]]> Comment #3 by mtvyfan http://www.grist.org/article/tuna2/ Tue, 09 Sep 2008 01:26:24 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/tuna2/3 Leave the numbers to the FDA

If the companies don't like them and what they signify...No PROBLEM...they'll just keep crunching them until they get a result they like. Screw the people, it's all about selling crappy fish, baby! Sarcasm very much intended.

]]> Leave the numbers to the FDA

If the companies don't like them and what they signify...No PROBLEM...they'll just keep crunching them until they get a result they like. Screw the people, it's all about selling crappy fish, baby! Sarcasm very much intended.

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