Health professionals agree that it is important to add more fish to the diet for a range of health benefits, most notably heart health. Despite this, some consumers are concerned about the presence of organic pollutants in fish and seafood. Persistent organic pollutants (POPs), such as PCBs are present in virtually all aspects of our lives from the clothes we wear, to the foods we eat. Health Canada, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the World Health Organization (WHO) state that both farmed and wild salmon contain similar low levels of PCBs that are well within current safety guidelines. Further, the most recent U.S.FDA Market Basket Study shows the absolute amount of PCBs in other sources of protein, including poultry, beef and pork, to be comparable to that of salmon. When consumption data is also considered, the amount of PCBs consumed by eating salmon is much lower than from other protein sources. Research and reports published recently in the Journal of the American Medical Association and Science Direct, and by the Institute of Medicine in Washington, DC, clearly state that the health benefits of consuming farmed salmon outweigh the risks. Canada’s Food Guide recommends increased consumption of salmon for good health. A source of lean protein that is naturally low in saturated fat, farm-raised Atlantic salmon’s beneficial omega-3 DHA fatty acids help lower bad (LDL) cholesterol levels. Atlantic salmon farmers from Canada’s east coast work with world-leading experts to ensure farm-raised salmon is of the highest quality, and continues to be a safe, healthy part of a balanced diet. Credit: www.newscanada.com