Updated 01/24/2008 08:15 PM
Report examines seafood sellers
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CHARLOTTE -- A recent study done by Oceana says that a grocery store in the area, as well as a sushi restaurant in Charlotte, either had fish with high mercury levels or the employees did not know FDA requirements for certain fish.
"High levels of mercury are felt to be a risk for neurological damage in developing fetuses and young children,” said Dr. William Poston with Presbyterian Hospital.
Poston said mercury can accumulate in the body over time and can be found in a number of fish, including swordfish, shark, king mackerel and certain types of tuna. Because of the dangers, a recent study tested fish in 26 cities across the country, as well as asking employees in stores and restaurants about the FDA requirements.
Among those stores and restaurants were Nikko Japanese Restaurant and Sushi Bar in Charlotte, as well as a charlotte-area Harris Teeter grocery store. The Oceana report does not indicate what Harris Teeter was targeted in the report, but did say that someone conducting the report asked an employee about FDA guidelines. According to the report, that employee did not respond well, saying only that women should not eat fish with mercury in it.
A Food Lion employee in Jacksonville, N.C. was also unsure about FDA requirements for mercury in fish.
The report also found that Harris Teeter’s swordfish had higher levels of mercury than the FDA allows.
Oceana found that Nikko had 2.2 parts per million of mercury compared to the 0.4 parts per million allowed by the FDA.
“If you think you’ve consumed some [mercury] it’s probably not a great risk if it is not made to be a regular habit,” said Poston.
In a statement released by Harris Teeter, the company said: “We require that our seafood partners adhere to international, federal, state and local guidelines in addition to random FDA testing. The FDA does not require signs to be posted in seafood departments. Going forward, Harris Teeter will post the FDA consumer advisory sign in its seafood department.”
A Food Lion employee in Jacksonville, N.C. was also unsure about FDA requirements for mercury in fish.
Poston said, if you think you may have eaten too much mercury, stay away from seafood for two or three months. That is typically how long it takes to leave your system.