Environmental Working Group’s
FISH LIST
* Shrimp fishing and farming practices have raised
serious environmental concerns.
** Farmed catfish have low mercury levels but may
contain PCBs in amounts of concern for pregnant women.
AVOID IF PREGNANT:
Shark
Swordfish
King mackerel
Tilefish
Tuna Steaks
Canned tuna
Sea bass
Gulf Coast oysters
Marlin
Halibut
Pike
Walleye
White croaker
Largemouth bass
EAT NO MORE THAN
ONE SERVING PER MONTH:
Mahi mahi
Blue mussel
Eastern oyster
Cod
Pollock
Great Lakes salmon
Gulf Coast blue crab
Channel catfish (wild)**
Lake whitefish
Porgy
Orange Roughy
Snapper
Lake trout
Bluefish
Gontino
Rockfish
Government studies show that one of every six
pregnant women in the U.S. will give birth to a baby
whose blood is contaminated with mercury at levels
above the federal safety standard. Emitted from
coal-fired power plants and other sources, the pollutant
builds up in some types of seafood. Nutrients in fish
can be vital for a baby’s brain development, but too
much mercury can cause lasting brain damage.
To supplement FDA’s consumer advisories, which don’t
adequately protect the public, EWG evaluated mercury
tests from seven government programs and published
this list to help women choose safer seafood during
pregnancy. This is, in fact, an important guide for everyone,
as mercury poses a risk to the immune system and
heart, even at low levels. For more information, see our
webpage on mercury in seafood at: