Fish can be part of a healthy diet for preschoolers.

It provides important nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids. However, some types of fish may contain chemicals at levels that can be health risks.


Mercury in fish

One of these chemicals is mercury, and some types of fish have high levels of mercury. Choose fish carefully to prevent harm to your preschooler so they may still enjoy the health benefits of eating seafood. Learn more about health benefits and safety issues of eating fish. Check for updated information about mercury in fish.


Other chemicals in fish

In addition to mercury, fish may contain other harmful chemicals, especially fish caught in local waters. Check local advisories to learn about the safety of fish caught in your local lakes, rivers, and coastal areas. Advisories may recommend that people limit or avoid eating some types of fish caught in certain places. If no advice is available, your preschooler may eat up to 1 meal per week of fish from local waters, but no other fish during that week.


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Last Modified: March 12, 2009 04:07 PM