EAST COAST Atlantic Salmon A top menu choice for

spring nutrition makeover

Studies confirm farmed Atlantic salmon as a leading source of omega-3 DHA and

very low in contaminants

April 22, 2008 (St. George, NB) — Average Canadian adults consume just one fish serving every 7-10 days, despite Canada’s Food Guide recommendations to include two servings of fish, such as salmon, per week. The North Atlantic Aquaculture Council reminds Canadians that including farmed Atlantic salmon from Canada’s East Coast is a smart, safe and simple solution to makeover your menu and a step towards better nutrition this spring.

Naturally low in saturated fat and a lean source of protein, farmed Atlantic salmon from Canada’s East Coast offers more than two grams of DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) per 100 gram serving. An essential fatty acid that is naturally found in cold water fish, omega-3 DHA has been shown to have a positive effect on heart health and play an important role in the normal development and function of the brain.

Although Health Canada has yet to set official guidelines for daily intake of omega-3s, the American Dietetic Association and Dietitians of Canada recently released a joint position paper outlining recommend intake. The paper concluded that for overall health, adults should consume 500 milligrams of long chain omega-3 fatty acids, namely DHA+EPA, per day. Current estimates indicate Canadians’ intake of omega-3 DHA is quite low, despite substantial research to support increased consumption.

“A single serving of East Coast Atlantic salmon provides a significant amount of omega-3 DHA,” says Pam Lynch, registered dietitian. “Atlantic salmon is great tasting and easy to prepare, and available fresh all year long. There is really no better way to include this vital nutrient in our diets.”

Farmed Atlantic salmon low in PCBs and other contaminants

Persistent organic pollutants, such as PCBs, are produced by some industrial processes and present in all aspects of our lives from the clothes we wear to the food we eat. The most recent U.S. FDA Market Basket Study shows the absolute amount of organic pollutants, such as PCBs, in salmon is comparable to other sources of protein, including poultry, beef and pork.  And in addition, when consumption data is also considered, the amount of PCBs consumed by eating salmon is much lower than from other protein sources.  Recent studies published in the Journal of the American Medical Association confirm the health benefits of consuming farm-raised Atlantic salmon.

Health Canada, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the World Health Organization (WHO) agree that both farm-raised and wild salmon contain similar trace levels of PCBs that are well within current safety guidelines.

“Atlantic salmon farmers from Canada’s East Coast work with world-leading experts to ensure their fish is of the highest quality, and continues to be a safe, healthy part of a balanced diet,” says Dr. Jamey Smith, executive director of the New Brunswick Salmon Growers’ Association (NBSGA) and founding member of the NAAC. “Our members adhere to rigorous, science-based environmental performance standards set by the Government of Canada that are among the most stringent in the country and around the world.”

The East Coast aquaculture industry, and specifically salmon farming, has made huge strides to enhance operations and environmental practices, while honouring the east coast tradition of locally owned and operated businesses. Industry regulations imposed by all levels of government, and additional guidelines set and monitored by the NBSGA, ensure the industry continues to operate in a sustainable and responsible manner.

Salmon farmers from Canada’s East Coast partner with leading organizations to support the wild salmon conservation effort and are committed to helping understand and address the primary threats to wild salmon populations including acid rain, warming of waters and survival at sea. Heightened public concern about the spread of disease from fish farms to wild populations, such as sea lice, is not applicable to salmon farms in the Bay of Fundy according to the Atlantic Salmon Federation. In fact, the 2007 Canada – North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organization (NASCO) Implementation Plan states that aquaculture sites in Canada operate in a manner intended to minimize environmental effects.

Atlantic salmon from Canada’s East Coast is an important food for good health. Responsibly produced and of the highest possible quality, it is a smart, safe choice for Canadians.

About the North Atlantic Aquaculture Council (NAAC)

The North Atlantic Aquaculture Council works on behalf of the entire sector to promote a sustainable aquaculture industry, responsible management practices, safe food, a safe environment and global competitiveness. For more information, visit www.AllAboutSalmon.com.

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