In this brief discussion, we’ll answer the question, “what are the four fish that should never be eaten?” We will also discuss why these fish are unsafe to eat, what is the least toxic fish and what other types of fish are unsafe for human consumption.
What are the four fish that should never be eaten?
There are several types of fish that should be avoided due to their high levels of mercury, unsustainable fishing practices and other health concerns. However, there are four types of fish that are regarded as unsafe by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (USDA ) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
These four fish include King Mackerel, Shark, Swordfish and Tilefish. Let us discuss why these fish are considered unsafe to eat in detail
Swordfish
Swordfish is a predatory fish that contains high levels of mercury, a toxic element that can cause serious health problems. Mercury has been known to accumulate in the bodies of larger and longer-living fish such as swordfish for up to 40 years.
Eating swordfish can cause serious health concerns in humans leading to neurological damage, memory problems, and developmental defects in children.
King mackerel
King mackerel are also known to have high levels of mercury in their bodies due to which they are considered unsafe to eat. It can cause severe health problems in humans which can be life-threatening in some cases.
Moreover, king mackerel are often caught using methods that can harm other marine species and damage their ecosystems. Such fishing practices can destroy sensitive habitats, kill other species and deplete fish populations leading to declining fish populations and marine ecosystems.
Sharks
Sharks are also known to hold high levels of mercury in their bodies. Consuming such high-mercury fish can cause serious health problems, especially in pregnant women, women of childbearing age and young children.
Moreover, sharks are also known to carry harmful parasites and bacteria which can cause foodborne illnesses.
Furthermore, hunting sharks can put their population at risk because sharks are harvested in an unsustainable manner and the practice of finning is a major contributor towards the decline in the shark population.
Tilefish
Tilefish are considered unsafe to eat by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (USDA) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) due to their high levels of mercury. Tilefish are more prone to accumulating mercury in their bodies due to their long life span and high position in the food chain.
Pregnant women, nursing mothers, and young children are advised to avoid eating tilefish and other fish that are high in mercury. Additionally, tilefish also contain the risk of harmful contaminants that can cause serious health issues in humans.
Therefore, it is advised to choose seafood that is low In mercury and more sustainable for the environment and ecosystems as well.
What other types of fish are considered unsafe for human consumption?
Other than the shark, king mackerel, swordfish and tilefish, orange roughy, marlin, American eel, Chilean sea bass, bluefin tuna and imported shrimp are considered unsafe for human consumption.
This is because these fish may contain some amounts of mercury as well as other poisonous contaminants that can harm your health in many ways.
What is the least toxic fish to eat?
Small fish like sardines, anchovies, framed trout and framed salmon have the least amount of toxins because they do not build up as many contaminants as large carnivores do.
It is important to note that seafood may contain many contaminants and pollutants. Therefore, it is crucial to get your seafood from sustainable sources and to follow the guidelines set by FDA, USDA and EPA for safe fish consumption.
Conclusion
We answered the question, “what are the four fish that should never be eaten?” We also discussed why these fish are unsafe to eat, what is the least toxic fish and what other types of fish are unsafe for human consumption.
