AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION HOUSE OF DELEGATES
Resolution: 538
(A-05)
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Introduced by:
Alaska Delegation
Subject:
Mercury and Fish Consumption: Medical and Public Health Issues
Referred to:
Reference Committee E
(Daniel W. van Heeckeren, MD, Chair)
Whereas, The American Medical Association adopted Council on Scientific Affairs Report 13-A04, “Mercury and Fish Consumption: Medical and Public Health Issues” at the 2004 Annual
Meeting; and
Whereas, This report provides important information about mercury including specific advice
that women who might become pregnant, are pregnant, or who are nursing, should follow
federal, state, and local advisories on fish consumption; and
Whereas, This report also states, “Because these advisories may differ, the most protective
advisory should be followed”; and
Whereas, Considerable scientific evidence exists to support differing dietary fish consumption
advice based upon differing levels of mercury in different fish species; and
Whereas, Extensive sampling of fish species from Alaska waters has documented very low
methylmercury levels in almost all species, and has documented that the levels of
methylmercury in all species of salmon are among the lowest of all species of fish and are far
below the average concentrations upon which the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
and US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) based their national advisory; and
Whereas, Current EPA and FDA national joint consumer fish consumption advisories explicitly
recognize the validity of providing local advice on fish consumption based upon local evidence;
and
Whereas, Fish provide inexpensive and readily available nutrients, vitamins, essential fatty
acids, antioxidants, calories, and protein that contribute to significant health benefits, and
extensive research has documented the numerous health, social and cultural, and economic
benefits of eating fish; and
Whereas, Substitution of other less healthy, less nutritious food for fish would result in far
greater harm to health; therefore be it
Resolution: 538 (A-05)
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RESOLVED, That our American Medical Association amend Policy H-150.947[1] by insertion
and deletion as follows:
AMA policy is that: (1) Women who might become pregnant, are pregnant, or who are
nursing should follow federal, state, and local advisories on fish consumption. Some kinds of
fish that are known to have much lower than average levels of methylmercury can be safely
eaten more frequently and in larger amounts. Physicians should contact your federal, state,
or local health or food safety authority for specific consumption recommendations about fish
caught or sold in your local area. Because these advisories may differ, the most protective
advisory should be followed. (Modify Current HOD Policy)
Fiscal Note: Staff cost estimated at less than $500 to implement.
Received: 5/19/05
RELEVANT AMA POLICY
H-150.947 Mercury and Fish Consumption: Medical and Public Health Issues
AMA policy is that: (1) Women who might become pregnant, are pregnant, or who are nursing
should follow federal, state, and local advisories on fish consumption. Because these advisories
may differ, the most protective advisory should be followed. (2) Physicians should (a) assist in
educating patients about the relative mercury content of fish and shellfish products; (b) make
patients aware of the advice contained in both national and regional consumer fish consumption
advisories; and (c) have sample materials available, or direct patients to where they can access
information on national and regional fish consumption advisories. (3) Testing of the mercury
content of fish should be continued by appropriate agencies; results should be publicly
accessible and reported in a consumer-friendly format. (4) Given the limitations of national
consumer fish consumption advisories, the Food and Drug Administration should consider the
advisability of requiring that fish consumption advisories and results related to mercury testing
be posted where fish, including canned tuna, are sold. (CSA Rep. 13, A-04)