Take Action
|
Oceana is asking Schnucks and other grocery stores to post the Food and Drug Administration's mercury advice at their seafood counters. Because mercury can harm a young child or unborn baby's developing nervous system, the FDA has issued advice for women of child-bearing age and children to avoid certain fish that are contaminated with high levels of mercury, such as swordfish, and instead choose low-mercury fish, such as salmon. This information, unfortunately, has not reached many families. In fact, an EPA scientist has estimated that one in six women of childbearing age has enough mercury in her body to pose neurological risks to her developing fetus. Signs Warn Customers: Schnucks should post signs containing the FDA mercury advice at all of its seafood counters. Families should be equipped with this information at the place where they buy fish so that they can make informed seafood purchases. Studies have shown that as many as 30 percent of women planning to have a child or already pregnant do not know that mercury in fish could harm their children's development. Many other companies are posting signs but Schnucks has refused to take this step to protect its customers. Brochures Don't Cut It: Some Schnucks stores display brochures about the FDA mercury advice but the company has refused to post signs. Brochures about mercury are not sufficient to grab the attention of people who don't know about mercury in seafood. Most shoppers are too busy to stop and read through a brochure before they buy seafood. Just as information about what's on sale is posted prominently, not buried in a brochure, this important government health advice also needs to be visible on a sign. Other Companies Are Posting Signs: Nearly 30% of major grocery companies are posting signs about mercury in fish and are recognized on Oceana's Green List. What You Can Do: Use this form to email Schnucks to ask them to post the FDA mercury advice at their seafood counters. Learn More: Check out a sample sign. |
