Does Faroe Island Salmon Contain Mercury?

Salmon is considered one of the healthiest fish to eat. It’s rich in omega-3 fatty acids high quality protein vitamins and minerals. However, concerns about mercury levels in salmon have caused some people to limit their consumption. This article provides a thorough look at mercury levels in salmon, particularly farmed salmon from the Faroe Islands.

An Overview of Mercury in Fish

Mercury is a heavy metal that is found naturally in the environment. It makes its way into water bodies through industrial pollution, mining activities and natural occurrences like volcanic eruptions. From there, it accumulates in the tissues of fish and other aquatic life through a process called bioaccumulation.

Larger, predatory fish tend to have higher mercury levels because they consume many smaller fish over their lifespan, building up mercury along the food chain.

In humans, mercury exposure can have toxic effects on the nervous system, especially in fetuses and young children. That’s why health authorities provide guidelines around how much fish pregnant women, women who may become pregnant, nursing mothers and young children should eat.

For the general population, mercury in fish is not a major health concern as long as a variety of fish and seafood are consumed. Some fish tend to be higher in mercury while others are quite low.

Mercury Levels in Salmon

Salmon is one of the most popular and nutritious types of fish. Luckily, it also tends to be low in mercury compared to many other fish.

Here are some key points on mercury in salmon

• Salmon have a short lifespan, usually 2-4 years. This limits their exposure to mercury compared to fish that live longer.

• Salmon are low on the food chain and don’t eat many smaller fish. This further restricts mercury exposure.

• Farmed salmon have been shown to have lower mercury levels than wild salmon. This is likely because their feed is regulated whereas wild salmon eat other fish that may contain mercury.

• Canned salmon tends to have higher mercury levels than fresh or frozen salmon. The canning process may concentrate the mercury.

According to testing by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, average mercury levels in salmon range from 0.022 ppm in canned light meat to 0.039 ppm in fresh/frozen fish.

To put this into perspective, swordfish and shark have over 10 times as much mercury!

The EPA and FDA recommend limiting mercury intake to no more than 0.1 mcg of mercury per kg of body weight per day. For a 150 pound (68 kg) person, that’s about 6-7 mcg per day.

A 6 oz (170 g) serving of salmon contains around 5-10 mcg of mercury. So you would need to eat a lot of salmon in one day to exceed the recommended limit.

Mercury Levels in Faroe Island Salmon

The Faroe Islands are an archipelago located in the North Atlantic between Iceland, Norway and Scotland. Salmon farming is one of the largest industries in the Faroes.

Testing shows that farmed salmon produced in the Faroe Islands have very low levels of mercury:

• Between 2000-2018, 1060 samples of Faroese farmed salmon were tested by the Faroese Food and Veterinary Authority.

• Average mercury levels ranged from 0.02 to 0.08 ppm, with most years averaging 0.03 to 0.05 ppm.

• 100% of the samples were below the EU maximum limit for mercury in fish, which is 0.5 ppm.

• Cadmium and lead levels were also extremely low or undetectable.

The pristine waters around the Faroe Islands minimizes the potential for pollution and contamination of farmed salmon feed. Salmon are given feed that is regulated for contaminants.

Furthermore, salmon have a biology that limits mercury exposure even when raised in the ocean.

Benefits of Eating Faroe Island Salmon

Here are some of the biggest health benefits associated with eating salmon like that produced in the Faroe Islands:

• High in omega-3s: Salmon is one of the best sources of the omega-3 fats EPA and DHA. These fats have been linked to a reduced risk of heart disease, stroke, depression and other conditions.

• Excellent source of protein: A 6 ounce serving of salmon contains over 35 grams of high quality, complete protein. Protein is important for building muscle mass and supporting an active lifestyle.

• Rich in B vitamins: Salmon provides high amounts of nutrients like niacin, riboflavin, thiamine and B12. These assist with converting food into energy.

• Loaded with potassium: Potassium helps control blood pressure as part of a healthy diet. Salmon provides 18% of the RDI for potassium in a 6 oz serving.

• Source of selenium: This essential mineral boosts immune function and acts as a powerful antioxidant. Just 3 ounces of salmon offers 59% of the RDI for selenium.

Overall, salmon is one of the healthiest fish choices thanks to its stellar nutrient profile. While all salmon is nutritious, farmed salmon from the pristine waters of the Faroe Islands is an excellent choice with minimal contaminants like mercury.

Who Should Limit Faroe Island Salmon Consumption?

While Faroe Island salmon is very low risk when it comes to mercury, some groups may still want to limit intake for maximum precaution:

• Pregnant and breastfeeding women
• Women who may become pregnant
• Young children under 8 years old

These populations are most vulnerable to the effects of mercury exposure. To minimize risk, the FDA and EPA provide these guidelines:

• Pregnant/nursing women & young children should eat 2-3 servings per week of low mercury fish like salmon.

• Avoid or limit high mercury fish like tuna, swordfish and shark.

• Stick to an 8-12 ounce serving size. Larger portions increase mercury exposure.

• Choose other protein sources like beans, lentils, chicken and yogurt to balance your diet.

Following these simple tips allows vulnerable groups to safely reap the benefits of nutritious salmon while minimizing mercury intake.

Bottom Line

• Salmon are low in mercury compared to many other types of fish. This is thanks to their feeding behavior, lifespan and biology.

• Farmed salmon from the Faroe Islands show extremely low levels of mercury based on extensive testing.

• Eating Faroe salmon provides a multitude of nutrients and health benefits with minimal mercury risk.

• Pregnant/nursing women and young children can still enjoy Faroe salmon, but should stick to 2-3 weekly servings.

So for most people, there is no need to avoid or limit Faroe Island salmon due to mercury concerns. It can be safely enjoyed as part of a healthy, balanced diet.

Yes, salmon from the Faroe Islands is generally considered safe to eat and is even highly regarded for its quality. Farmed salmon from the Faroe Islands is known for its purity and high quality, with many experts unable to distinguish it from wild salmon. The Faroese aquaculture industry emphasizes sustainability and good practices, including the avoidance of antibiotics.