FSA to review fish advice to address sustainability

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is planning to review its advice on eating fish to address growing concern about the sustainability of certain fish stocks.

The Agency's current nutritional advice urges consumers to eat more fish, advising them to eat at least two portions of fish a week, one of which should be oily.

Pregnant and breastfeeding women and women who one day may have a baby should not eat more than two portions of oily fish a week, it says. Others can eat up to four portions a week.

While the advice addresses health issues, Rosemary Hignett, head of the FSA's nutrition division, admitted there was some confusion over sustainability.

"We are aware that fish consumption and sustainability is a key issue for many consumers and current advice can be confusing," she said.

"We are going to involve interested stakeholders, including other government departments, consumer and health groups, environmental organisations, as well as representatives of the fishing and food industries."

The FSA is aiming to publish the findings of the review before the end of 2008.

The review was announced on the day Tom Aikens opened his new sustainable fish and chip restaurant in Chelsea.

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By Daniel Thomas

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