Spain Wants Recommendation On Tuna Consumption For “Risk Groups”ff

Source: Fish and Information Services

Authorities of the Ministry of Environment and Rural and Marine Affairs (MARM) and the Spanish Food Safety Agency (AESAN) met with representatives of the sector related to the capture, processing and marketing of tuna and swordfish to analyze the recommendations on the consumption of certain fish stocks.

The meeting was attended by the director general of Fisheries Management, Juan Ignacio Gandarias Serrano; and AESAN Executive Director, Ana María Troncoso.

Attendees at the meeting agreed on the need to refine the new recommendations released by AESAN. The agency recommended that 3-12 year old children should not consume more than 50 grams per week of these products, and that pregnant women and nursing mothers should avoid them in their diet.

The parties agreed on the need to make it clear that the recommendation is designed “exclusively to these risk groups and does not affect the rest of the population,” the MARM reported.

The Ministry, AESAN and the industry also believe that the benefits of eating fish far outweigh the potential risks, as it has been indicated by various national and international studies conducted by public health agencies.

“As a result of this meeting it has been agreed to set up a working group composed of participants in the project to evaluate strategies to better manage comprehensively the marketing of these products,” said MARM in a release.

In addition, the existing information on AESAN website will be expanded to spread clearer and more accurate data to consumers.

Some days ago, AESAN scientific committee conducted a reassessment of the risks and “concluded that not only was there lack of leeway for relaxation but most children and women are getting near the acceptable limits of this toxin,” said Victorio Teruel , head of chemical risk management of the Agency.