The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is pleased to announce the release of the 2018 regional Eat Safe Fish Guides. These guides can help residents plan their fish meals to ensure they are minimizing exposure to chemicals that can build up in fish, while still getting all of the health benefits eating fish provides.
“The guide essentially provides a nutrition label for chemicals in locally-caught fish,” said Nick Lyon, director at MDHHS. “The Eat Safe Fish Guides are easy to use and important resources that help families in Michigan consume fish safely.”
MDHHS only tests the portions of fish that people eat – typically the filets. The results from the state laboratory are used to determine what is safe for people to consume over the long-term. There are many health benefits to eating fish, and the Eat Safe Fish Guides help individuals choose the fish that are best for them and their families.
The guides are a free resource for Michigan residents who would like information regarding what fish and how much is healthy to consume from various bodies of water across the state.
Chemicals in fish are a worldwide problem that is not limited to Michigan and other Great Lakes states, but it is important to note that fish from some areas in Michigan are more contaminated than others. By using the Eat Safe Fish Guides, Michigan fish consumers can be confident that they are making informed choices about eating the fish they catch from their local lake or river.
Eat Safe Fish in Michigan Brochure This brochures provides the general concepts of fish consumption guidelines. It includes tips on Choosing, Cleaning, and Cooking fish. This brochure is a starting point for finding safe fish in Michigan.
Eat Safe Fish in Michigan Guide for Southeast Michigan This guide lists specific information about fish species from lakes and rivers around the state that have been tested for contamination. The guide is a multi-page booklet.
Buy Safe Fish: Mercury Guidelines for Store-bought & Restaurant Fish This brochure explains the MDCH “Eat 8” system for each type of fish commonly purchased in restaurants or grocery stores. It charts a variety of fish and assigns them to a point system for how many servings can safely be consumed in a month. The chart includes a symbol for fish high in heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids.