Contact: Gavin Gibbons (703) 752-8891 ggibbons@NFI.org

Mayo Clinic Says Don’t Give Up Tilapia Dietitians Weigh in on Controversial Tilapia Report

July 17, 2008 Washington, DC – Dietitians from the world renowned Mayo Clinic say Americans should not stop eating tilapia, despite sensational media reports that question its health benefits. The clinic’s online column Nutrition Wise says despite the fact that a new study released in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association shows tilapia has more omega-6’s than omega-3’s, that is no reason to stop eating the popular fish. The authors insist they are, “going to continue to eat fish — at least twice weekly….choose a variety of fatty fish — including tilapia and catfish along with others especially high in the good fats such as salmon, tuna and mackerel.” “This is all part of a reaction to sound-bite-science that has confused consumers and possibly scared some away from an inherently healthy food,” said Jennifer Wilmes a registered dietitian with the National Fisheries Institute. “Is there an on going debate in the scientific community about omega-3 to omega-6 ratios? Yes. Does that mean anyone should suggest ground beef, bacon and doughnuts are equal to or healthier than tilapia? No. That’s irresponsible.” The Mayo Clinic column comes at the same time a coalition of 16 researchers and cardiologists issue an open letter challenging the original tilapia report. For more than 60 years, the National Fisheries Institute (NFI) and its members have provided American families with the variety of sustainable seafood essential to a healthy diet. For more information visit: www.AboutSeafood.com. ###