The Food and Drug Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency have updated their advice for pregnant women about eating fish. The agency has claimed that pregnant women need not worry about eating more fish.

Women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, those breastfeeding their babies, and young children as well should increase their current level of fish consumption. The advice is based on scientific evidence
that fish consumption is very good for brain development and overall body growth. And benefits of fish consumption outweigh the risk of methylmercury exposure.

After analyzing seafood consumption data, the FDA found that two in 10 mothers consumed no fish in the past month. 50% of surveyed mothers reported consumption of two seafood consumption data, whereas 75% ate less than four ounces per week.

Stephen Ostroff, the FDA's acting chief scientist, said that the analysis clearly indicated that pregnant women are refraining from eating fish. Ostroff added that there is enough scientific evidence that fish consumption has significant benefits for the fetus and young children.

"Based on the surveys that showed so few women were eating a sufficient amount to get those benefits, we thought it was very important to indicate there should be a minimum amount consumed as well", said Ostroff.

The updated advice from FDA and EPA recommends at least eight ounces and up to 12 ounces of fish per week for pregnant women. This means that pregnant women should eat about two to three servings of fish per week. In some cases it means eating fish six times more than expectant women are eating. However, the agencies have suggested to avoid fish that are known to be higher in mercury, like tilefish from the Gulf of Mexico, shark, swordfish and mackerel.