Americans consume fish at least once a month, 40%once a week, while only 1–2% consume
fish or shellfish almost daily. Because fish and seafood is recommended as an essential part of
a varied diet, advisories need to identify the types of nutrient-rich fish that are lowin mercury
to ensure that the benefits exceed the risks.
Total dietary mercury intake has usually been measured as part of market basket surveys
or as part of specific monitoring. Probabilistic analyses based on dietary questionnaire data
and fish analyses suggest that small children, on a body weight basis, may receive a higher
exposure than adults (EFSA, 2004). Incomplete information is available on the distribution
of high-end intakes from seafood diets, especially among vulnerable population groups,
such as pregnant women and children.