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Professor Alan Jackson

Professor Alan Jackson. Chair: Inter-Committee Subgroup on Fish - a joint subgroup of the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) and the Committee on Toxicity (COT) Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition. Terms of Reference.

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Professor Alan Jackson

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  1. Professor Alan Jackson Chair: • Inter-Committee Subgroup on Fish - a joint subgroup of the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) and the Committee on Toxicity (COT) • Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition

  2. Terms of Reference • To bring together the nutritional considerations on fish consumption and the toxicological considerations of the contaminants in fish • To weigh the nutritional benefits against possible risks and develop coherent dietary advice on consumption of fish, with particular reference to oily fish

  3. SACN Considerations Effects of fish consumption on: • Cardiovascular disease • Human development (fetus and infant)

  4. SACN Opinions • Fish consumption, especially oily fish, decreases the risk of cardiovascular disease • Increased maternal fish consumption might have beneficial effects on fetal development • The COMA recommendation to ‘eat at least two portions of fish, of which one should be oily, weekly’ should be endorsed • This recommendation should also apply to pregnant women

  5. COT Considerations Contaminants in fish: Methylmercury in large predatory fish • shark, swordfish, marlin and, to a lesser extent, tuna • Dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) accumulate in oily fish • Other contaminants to be kept under review • brominated flame retardants

  6. COT Opinions • Methylmercury: • World Health Organisation published a revised opinion in June 2003 • COT subsequently updated its statement on mercury in fish and shellfish • Risk of nerve damage, unborn baby most vulnerable • Review of dioxins and PCBs, taking into account: • 2001 statement on the tolerable daily intake for dioxins and PCBs • intake of dioxins and PCBs from oily fish • intake of dioxins and PCBs from the rest of the diet

  7. Risks to Different Groups • Lower intake guideline to protect the unborn baby • Higher intake guideline for people at less risk of the harmful effects

  8. SACN/COT Conclusions • The majority of the UK population does not consume enough fish, particularly oily fish • An increase in average oily fish consumption to one portion a week, from current levels of about a third of a portion a week, would confer significant public health benefits • People should eat at least two portions of fish a week, one of which should be oily • The evidence to support benefit at higher levels of consumption is insufficient to enable accurate quantification

  9. SACN/COT Recommendations Guideline ranges for oily fish consumption, based on the nutritional and toxicological considerations (levels at which there would be clear benefits without undue risk) were recommended: • Women of reproductive age and girls could consume up to two portions of oily fish a week • Women past reproductive age, boys and men could consume up to four portions of oily fish a week

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