In 2023 the FAO/WHO convened an expert meeting to update the 2010 report on the risks and benefits of fish consumption. The expert consultation considered new scientific evidence which focused on:
- Evidence of health benefits from fish consumption;
- Toxic effects of dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs;
- Toxic effects of methylmercury;
- The role of selenium regarding the health effects of methylmercury;
- Occurrence data for methylmercury, dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs in fisheries and aquaculture products.
A Summary Report is available here and the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Consultation on the Risks and Benefits of Fish Consumption report was published in October 2024.
The updated report concluded that consuming fish provides energy, protein and a range of other nutrients important for health, and that there are benefits related to fish consumption during all life stages (pregnancy, childhood and adulthood). General population studies show that the benefits and individual effects of fish consumption vary depending on overall diet, the characteristics of consumers, and the fish that is consumed. Risk–benefit assessments at regional, national or even subnational levels are needed to refine fish consumption recommendations considering local consumption habits, fish contamination levels and nutrient content, nutritional status of the population of interest, cultural habits and demographics.
The report also recommended nations develop and evaluate risk analysis strategies (risk assessment, risk management and risk communication) that maximise the benefits and minimise the risks from consuming fish.
