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Does Your Tilapia Pass the Test? A growing number of tilapia farms are getting third-party certification to show that they meet standards that take into account environmental issues, food safety, and animal welfare, among other factors. What about drug residues, a major concern with most imported seafood? As we previously reported , veterinary drug residues were detected in tilapia and other fish that were inspected by the U.
Bigeye tuna is becoming a concern, too, as populations are overfished in many areas. Police investigating after woman sexually assaulted by stranger in her Esquimalt apartment. Some companies post this information on their websites. Wild-Caught Alaskan Salmon Pinterest. You can use seafood guides from such organizations as the Monterey Bay Aquarium and EDF as a starting point, but you still have to ask questions of your fishmonger or waitperson or chef and check packages of frozen products if you want to know if the fish meets standards for sustainability see inset above.
And a paper in the Journal of Hazardous Materials found antibiotic residues in farmed fish purchased in the U. Though levels were relatively low, the authors note that the use of antibiotics in fish farming could nonetheless be contributing to the growing public health problem of drug-resistant bacteria. This study also looked at mercury , cadmium, arsenic, and lead in tilapia.
All samples had detectable residues of at least one of these heavy metals, but at levels well below safety action thresholds set by the FDA. Tilapia's Worse than Bacon? Asian dishes like fried rice, spring rolls and sushi Asian dishes that are often prepared with fish-based sauces, like oyster sauce Salad dressings Sauces, like steak and Worcestershire Seafood soups and broths Spreads like taramasalata Food products that sometimes contain seafood include: Deli meats Dips and spreads Foods that contain gelatin like marshmallows or hot dogs Are fish oil supplements safe for a person with a seafood allergy?
Tips for following a seafood-free diet If you are allergic to seafood, it is best to avoid all food and products that contain fish, crustacean or shellfish that you are allergic to. Stricter Canadian guidelines require that seafood-containing foods are clearly labelled.
Read the label every time. Food manufacturers often change ingredients used in their products without notice. If you are unsure if a product contains seafood or fish you are allergic to, contact the manufacturer. Many food packages have contact information on them. Avoid foods that do not have a clear ingredient list.
This includes avoiding imported products, as they do not always have an accurate food label. Be careful if you have a severe seafood allergy. It is possible to experience an allergic reaction even if you do not eat seafood. Seafood being cooked or steamed can trigger a reaction. When eating out, ask if seafood or seafood-based ingredients are used to determine if the menu item should be avoided. Instead of fish-based sauces, add low-sodium soy sauce or Tabasco sauce for extra flavour in rice or noodle dishes.
Swap seafood for tofu in your stir fry for a good source of protein. Beans and lentils make hearty additions to salads instead of seafood.
Last Update — April 26, Improvements in salmon farming have made closed tanks for common species—Atlantic, Coho, and Chinook—a better option than farms that use net pens. One notable exception is Chinook salmon farmed in New Zealand net pens.
Closed tanks produce less runoff waste and pose a lower risk of disease and escape into wild populations. And the fact that they're farm-raised salmon doesn't impact the health benefits—they'll still pack just as much omega-3s per 3-ounce serving. Be cautious of the type of salmon you're buying: Almost all Atlantic salmon is now farmed, but only a very small percentage is actually raised in closed tanks. Look for labels that say "land-based" or "tank-based. Try it in our Coffee-Rubbed Salmon Sandwiches. Nearly all the trout you will find at your nearest supermarket is farmed rainbow trout.
Trout farming in the U. Since these farms are contained, they are more protected from contaminants than wild species—making mercury levels low for this fish. The EDF says people of all ages can eat rainbow trout four times per month, if desired. Innovative fishery management has ensured that sablefish harvesting does not accidentally capture vulnerable species. Several sablefish fisheries carry the blue MSC label, so keep an eye out. Sablefish is oily and thus a good source of vitamins A and D. Mercury levels are moderate, so children 12 years and under should only eat two servings per month, while adults can have four or more.
Swap sablefish for halibut in our Fish with Eggplant Pepperonata.
The large bluefin tuna is strongly in the "best to avoid" category. Despite their status as a delicacy, bluefin tuna have high levels of mercury and PCBs, so they should be avoided. Bigeye tuna is becoming a concern, too, as populations are overfished in many areas. Many of the methods used to catch them hook bluefin as bycatch, in addition to other endangered species such as turtles and sharks. Buttery Chilean sea bass has been fished to near depletion in its native cold Antarctic waters. Some populations are healthy, but the methods used to catch them often hook other species, including threatened species of albatross and other seabirds.
If you do purchase this fish, look for one that is MSC-certified.
The EDF has issued a consumption advisory about sea bass nutrition due to high mercury levels: Adults should eat no more than two servings per month and children ages 12 and younger should eat it no more than once a month. High mercury levels in these large fish have caused the EDF to issue a consumption advisory.
Groupers can live many years but reproduce slowly, making them vulnerable to overfishing.
Their unusual mating patterns don't help—they come together in large schools, which makes them an easy target. Bycatch is also a problem for grouper fisheries.
New management plans aim to rebuild grouper populations. Marlins are easily distinguishable by their pointed fins and long, sharp bills.