Petition Safeway to Label Mercury-Laden Fish Nationwide
Urge Safeway's CEO Steven A. Burd to Protect All of His Customers from Toxic Mercury
Posted by Sea Turtle Restoration Project
Why would Safeway post signs to protect their customers from mercury poisoning in California and complete neglect them in other states?
Background
Under Proposition 65, California's consumer-right-to-know law,
Safeway is obligated to post signs that warn their customers of the dangers
of mercury in seafood. Mercury is a dangerous neurotoxin that can cause serious
birth defects and disabilities in children and a range of health effects in
adults. Although Safeway is not posting signs adequately in all California stores,
they are posting signs in many California stores. Safeway, however, refuses
to post signs in stores in other states putting mothers and children at great
risk from mercury.
Safeway's failure to warn its customers about mercury-contaminated fish
contradicts the spirit of Safeway's new "Ingredients for Life" campaign.
Fish and shellfish are an important part of a healthy diet. Fish and shellfish contain high-quality protein and other essential nutrients, are low in saturated fat, and contain omega-3 fatty acids. A well-balanced diet that includes a variety of fish and shellfish can contribute to heart health and children's proper growth and development. So, women and young children in particular should include fish or shellfish in their diets due to the many nutritional benefits.
However, nearly all fish and shellfish contain traces of mercury. For most people, the risk from mercury by eating fish and shellfish is not a health concern. Yet, some fish and shellfish contain higher levels of mercury that may harm an unborn baby or young child's developing nervous system. The risks from mercury in fish and shellfish depend on the amount of fish and shellfish eaten and the levels of mercury in the fish and shellfish. Therefore, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are advising women who may become pregnant, pregnant women, nursing mothers, and young children to avoid some types of fish and eat fish and shellfish that are lower in mercury.
By following these 3 recommendations for selecting and eating fish or shellfish, women and young children will receive the benefits of eating fish and shellfish and be confident that they have reduced their exposure to the harmful effects of mercury.
Do not eat Shark, Swordfish, King Mackerel, or Tilefish because they contain high levels of mercury.
Eat up to 12 ounces (2 average meals) a week of a variety of fish and shellfish that are lower in mercury.
Five of the most commonly eaten fish that are low in mercury are shrimp, canned light tuna, salmon, pollock, and catfish.
Another commonly eaten fish, albacore ("white") tuna has more mercury than canned light tuna. So, when choosing your two meals of fish and shellfish, you may eat up to 6 ounces (one average meal) of albacore tuna per week.
Check local advisories about the safety of fish caught by family and friends in your local lakes, rivers, and coastal areas. If no advice is available, eat up to 6 ounces (one average meal) per week of fish you catch from local waters, but don't consume any other fish during that week.