Safety guidelines for consumption of oily fish released!
London, June 25 (ANI)

A major review by UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) says that the health benefits of eating oily fish outweigh the risks if people consume no more than a few portions each week.

According to FSA, maximum levels of consumption at which the health benefits of preventing heart disease clearly outweigh the possible risks from dioxins fall into two categories.

Men, boys and women past the age of child bearing can safely consume up to four 140 gram portions of oily fish a week. But women of child bearing age and those pregnant or breast-feeding and can eat only two portions of fish a week.

"There has been long standing public health advice that people should eat at least two portions of fish a week, one of which is oily," said John Krebs, chair of the FSA.

However, concerns have been raised that oily fish contains high levels of environmental pollutants such as methylmercury, dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), which can raise cancer risk or harm the development of a fetus.

On the other hand, there is strong evidence that eating oily fish protects against heart disease as they are a good source of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids.

"It can reduce platelet clotting. And it can also help lower blood triglyceride levels, lowering the risk of the arteries furring up." said Charmaine Griffiths of the British Heart Foundation.