While routine exposure to such substances can pose a risk to aquaculture workers, the health effects of chronic low-level exposure in fish eaters are not fully known. And larger wild-caught fish, such as swordfish, have high levels of mercury, which can impair the nervous systems of developing fetuses, infants, and young children. The risk of disease amplification is low as well. Refusing to source from fisheries and/or vessels that have contributed to illegal, unreported, or unregulated fishing. All about buying fish and seafood at @AldiUSA, https://www.foodallergy.org/common-allergens/shellfish-allergy. And much of that is farm-raised (a practice called aquaculture) in Asia and elsewhere in the developing world. Food is food; but looking at my Sustainable Fish wall chart in my office right now, it says we should 'Eat Less' Basa fish species. I have also used in fish stews and sliced and crumbed as fish fingers. Antibiotics, antifungals and antiparasitics, as well as pesticides and disinfectants, are often used in fish farming to control diseases that can spread rampantly in crowded conditions. Do Not Sell My Info Ideally the agency would not only test more imports, it would also check more overseas fish farms to make sure they meet U.S. standards in the first place. But along with heart-healthy omega-3 fats, you may be getting something in your seafood that’s not so welcome: contaminants. Unsubscribe anytime. In addition, most overseas fish farms are not inspected by U.S. officials. But according to Seafood Watch’s 2014 report on net pen farmed barramundi in Vietnam, operational data has shown a low incidence of diseases. Despite the good intentions of the COOL regulations, there is little oversight, so going to a trusted source is a better bet for getting high-quality fish. If you’re like most health-conscious people, you’re probably eating more fish these days. Wild salmon is always a good option—and most canned salmon is wild (and cheap). But how do omega-3 supplements stack up? ALDI carries frozen, chilled, and shelf-stable fish and seafood too. Aiming to source from farms that reduce the environmental impact on surrounding plants and animals and promote fish health and welfare. Sourcing only from suppliers that share the commitment to sustainability and transparency. At the very least, widespread use of antibiotics in aquaculture can contribute to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and cause important antibiotic drugs to become ineffective in people. Other problematic imported seafood included crab, basa (a type of catfish), eel and tilapia, most or all likely farmed. That means we raise our fish without hormones or antibiotics—just the way it should be. Despite these concerns over contaminants, the health benefits of fish outweigh potential risks. Very tasty.” “They are brilliant.. as … Buy from a local fishmonger who has been in business for a while, buys direct from distributors, and can answer specific questions about the fish. Barramundi are naturally hardy. In the refrigerated section, ALDI carries fish fillets like Sea Queen Fresh Atlantic Salmon and tilapia, ready-to-cook breaded fish, and scallops. Log in. Contaminants in seafood are not limited to just farmed fish from developing countries. Advertising Policy When buying frozen seafood from Aldi, or anywhere, I check its not from China, Vietnam, Thailand as I don't trust the testing of contaminants. UCB School of Public Health In contrast, Europe tests for 34 drugs. Privacy Policy Seafood from Canada should be fine too, since no import violations were noted from there. Vary your seafood choices to minimize overexposing yourself to any particular contaminants they may contain. That means overseas fish farms can be using a range of drugs for which the U.S. doesn’t even screen. Looking for the best choices in seafood? They are resilient and remarkably disease resistant. And when the FDA does inspect seafood imports, it looks for residues from only 13 drugs. Your email address will not be published. Certain wild-caught fish are also good options (see "Super seafood choices," below, for some farmed and wild seafood recommendations.) Using their influence as a large-scale buyer to encourage improvements that promote sustainability. In fact, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) checks just two percent of imports for contaminants (including drug residues, microbes and heavy metals), the study reported, compared to 20 to 50 percent in Europe, 18 percent in Japan and up to 15 percent in Canada. Of all countries, Vietnam had the most drug violations, followed by China and then other countries in Asia, including Thailand, Indonesia, Taiwan, India and Malaysia. The U.S. Dietary Guidelines, the American Heart Association, the World Health Organization and other health authorities around the world recommend eating fish at least twice a week (at least 8 ounces total), preferably types rich in omega-3 fats such as salmon and sardines (though with certain caveats for pregnant and nursing women and young children).