No, and it never was completely “safe.”
Between the contaminants in the ocean and fish farms, seafood is exposed to oil, chemicals (e.g. oil dispersants, mercury, etc.) and even hormones, antibiotics and pesticides. While the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has and always will monitor the seafood for human consumption, fish will still have traces of contaminants…even if the amount is still deemed “safe” and in parts per million, do you really want to expose yourself to them?
Eliminating fish from your diet is one way to ensure that you’re not consuming oil-fighting chemicals or residual growth hormones and antibiotics. Don’t forget that there are alternative ways to get your protein as well as essential fatty acids. For instance, garbanzo beans are actually healthier and have a higher amino acid score than eggs. You can also eat various nuts such as pine nuts, peanuts, walnuts, almonds, etc. Whether you’re a pescetarian (a vegetarian who still consumes seafood) or a full on carnivore, taking your diet to the next level can start by reducing your seafood intake every week.
Now if you’re determined to not let the oil spill dictate your eating habits, there are some things you need to know before that meat touches your lips.
In addition to locating healthy fish options, you also have to assess how the seafood was raised or captured. The blue Marine Stewardship Council certification labels will help you out, but you can also visit its site for more information. For example, in the U.S., you can find MSC-labeled products at the following major retailers: Aldi, Costco, Schwans, Target, Walmart and Whole Foods Market. Now, this list isn’t an all-exhaustive list. There are many retailers selling sustainable seafood, and you can search by your country.
Even before the massive British Petroleum (BP) oil spill, our oceans have been put through the worst of conditions. If we’re not contaminating the waters, we’re raping the seas of its diverse marine life. Worrying about the seafood you’re bringing to the table is a justifiable concern, because the quality isn’t going to be the same across the board.
