The United Kingdom’s Food Standards Agency is re-evaluating its seafood-consumption advice to consumers in light of sustainability concerns, the agency announced earlier this week.
The agency says it’s committed to considering sustainability when making recommendations on nutrition and food safety.
The Food Standards Agency currently advises consumers to eat at least two portions of seafood a week, including one portion of oily fish. This recommendation is not being reconsidered, asserts the agency, but concerns about overfishing and the health of the marine environment may be taken into account when making future recommendations.
This is part of a government-wide strategy on sustainable development.
“Eating fish has considerable health benefits, so we will continue to encourage consumption as part of a drive to improve public health but we recognize the potential impact our advice may have on demands for fish,” says Rosemary Hignett, head of nutrition at the Food Standards Agency. “We know that issues relating to sustainability are important to consumers. By helping to ensure they have access to clear and reliable information about sustainable sources of fish, consumers will be able to make more informed choices.”
The Food Standards Agency is accepting public comment on the proposal through March 31 for England, Wales and Northern Ireland and through April 1 for Scotland.
