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Provisional Translation

3 June 2003

Advice for Pregnant Women on Fish Consumption
concerning Mercury Contamination

Joint Sub-Committees on Animal Origin Foods and Toxicology
under the Food Sanitation Committee
the Pharmaceutical Affairs and Food Sanitation Council


 Most of fish contain small amounts of mercury but the contamination levels are known to be quite low in general. They do not have any adverse effects on human health. Fish are a good source of high quality of protein, non-saturated fatty acid rather than saturated fatty acid, and other nutrients, and they are important element of diet.

 However, some kinds of fish contain high levels of mercury, which may have adverse health effect on human, particularly on fetuses, due to concentration through the food chain.

 On this basis the following advice on fish consumption would be necessary for pregnant women or women who would be pregnant.

 Based upon the currently available data, it is advisable to limit the consumption of;
- Meat of Bottlenose Dolphin, in 60 to 80 grams per serving size, to once per two months or less,
- Meat of Baird’s Beaked Whale, Short-finned Pilot Whale, Sperm Whale and Kinds of Sharks ( muscle meat only ), in 60 to 80 grams per serving size, to once a week or less,
- Meat of Swordfish and Alfonsino, in 60 to 80 grams per serving size to twice a week or less.

 There are no data that show adverse health effects on all the people other than pregnant women of mercury levels in any kinds of fish and on pregnant women of its levels in all fish excluding the above-mentioned fish. It should be noted that fish is valuable for human health in general and the advice should be correctly understood so that fish consumption will not decrease.

 It is recommended that mercury levels in fish and fish consumption should be further monitored and studies on mercury effects on fetuses should be promoted. It is also recommended that the advice should be reviewed when the monitoring and study results are made available.


Results of Mecury/Methylmercury in fishes (Provisional Translation)
The information is produced by gathering the data from prefecture governments in 2000 and 2001.

Species Total Mercury mg/kg Methylmercury mg/kg
Japanese Name English Name Samples Min. Max. Ave. Samples Min. Max. Ave.
AINAME Fat Cod 33 0.020 0.330 0.089        
AOAJI Amberfish 2 0.030 0.100 0.065        
AODAI Blue Fusilier 2 0.630 0.630 0.630 2 0.240 0.240 0.240
AOHATA   1 0.240 0.240 0.240        
AKA-AMADAI Japanese Branquillo 1 0.070 0.070 0.070        
AKAUO Alaska Rockfish 3 0.190 0.380 0.253 2 0.180 0.180 0.180
AKAEI Stingray 2 0.090 0.140 0.115        
AKAKAMASU Red Barracuda 4 0.010 0.044 0.019        
AKAKAREI Red Halibut 5 0.040 0.330 0.126        
AKAHITAHIRAME Red Tongue Sole 3 0.000 0.020 0.010        
AKAZU   6 0.130 0.170 0.150        
AKABERA Multicolorfin Wrasse 1 0.030 0.030 0.030        
AKAMUTSU   4 0.110 0.260 0.223        
AKAME   1 0.070 0.070 0.070        
AKAMEDAI   1 0.040 0.040 0.040        
AKAYAGARA Cornetfish 1 0.050 0.050 0.050        
AJI Japanese Jack Mackerel 54 0.000 0.150 0.044        
Atlantic Salmon Atlantic Salmon 5 0.020 0.040 0.028        
ANAGO Conger Eel 16 0.000 0.140 0.048        
ABU   1 0.040 0.040 0.040        
AMADAI Horsehead 7 0.020 0.170 0.085        
AYU   39 0.000 0.230 0.052 6 0.007 0.060 0.026
ANKOU Goosefish 9 0.030 0.170 0.087        
IKANAGO Sand Eel 3 0.000 0.010 0.003        
ISAKI Chicken Grunt 37 0.000 0.240 0.061        
ISHIGAREI Stone Flounder 1 0.030 0.030 0.030        
ISHIDAI Striped Beakperch 2 0.060 0.060 0.060        
ISHIMOCHI White Croaker 18 0.000 0.400 0.138        
ITOHIKIAJI   1 0.018 0.018 0.018        
ITOYORI Goldenthread 2 0.080 0.080 0.080        
ITOYORIDAI Goldenthread 18 0.020 0.360 0.144        
INADA Yellowtail 6 0.000 0.187 0.061        
IBODAI Butter Fish 9 0.000 0.020 0.012        
IWASHI Pacific Herring 24 0.000 0.110 0.021        
IWANA Japanese Charr 13 0.020 0.080 0.057        
INDO-MAGURO Southern Bluefin Tuna 8 0.790 2.600 1.265 8 0.680 2.000 1.076
USUMEBARU Goldeye Rockfish 3 0.710 0.710 0.710        
UNAGI Eel 60 0.000 0.240 0.052        
UMAZURAHAGI Black Scraper 3 0.000 0.012 0.007        
UMADURAHAGI Black Scraper 3 0.020 0.025 0.022        
URUME-IWASHI Big-Eye Sardine 9 0.007 0.126 0.043        
ESO   3 0.000 0.160 0.077        
EZOBORA Whelk 2 0.050 0.050 0.050        
EZO-MEBARU   1 0.003 0.003 0.003        
ETE-GAREI   4 0.060 0.130 0.088        
OAKAMURO Northern Mackerel Scad 3 0.029 0.233 0.111        
ONIOKOZE Devil Stinger 1 0.160 0.160 0.160        
KAIWARI Horse Kingfish 1 0.000 0.000 0.000        
KASAGO Japanese Stingerfish 13 0.020 0.237 0.080        
GASHI   1 0.040 0.040 0.040        
KATAKUCHI-IWASHI Japanese Anchovy 1 0.022 0.022 0.022        
KATSUO Skipjack Tuna 15 0.030 0.390 0.167        
KANAGASHIRA Gurnard 2 0.088 0.160 0.124        
KANAFUGU Smoothbacked Blowfish 1 0.330 0.330 0.330        
KAMASU Japanese Barracuda 23 0.000 0.357 0.093        
KARASU-GAREI Greenland Halibut 1 0.090 0.090 0.090        
KAREI Sole 11 0.020 0.200 0.084        
KAWATSUHIE   1 0.010 0.010 0.010        
KAWAHAGI Filefish 14 0.000 0.080 0.022        
GANGI-EI Skate 3 0.045 0.140 0.086        
KANPACHI Great Amberjack 40 0.040 0.300 0.119 10 0.120 0.260 0.160
KISU Japanese Whiting 9 0.010 0.050 0.026        
KIDAI Yellow Porgy 1 0.270 0.270 0.270        
KICHINU Yellow Sea Bream 1 0.030 0.030 0.030        
KIHADA-MAGURO Yellowfin Tuna 17 0.090 0.540 0.286 16 0.050 0.460 0.235
KYURIUO Olive Rainbow Smelt 1 0.007 0.007 0.007        
KIWADA Yellowfin Tuna 2 0.140 0.140 0.140        
KINKI Bighand thornyhead 7 0.010 0.250 0.080        
King Salmon King Salmon 3 0.020 0.020 0.020        
GINZAKE Coho Salmon 5 0.000 0.036 0.016        
GINDARA Sablefish 7 0.000 0.400 0.151 3 0.320 0.620 0.420
KINME Alfonsino 2 0.320 0.320 0.320 2 0.500 0.500 0.500
KINME-DAI Alfonsino 17 0.069 0.860 0.478 11 0.330 0.990 0.592
GUCHI White Croaker 2 0.100 0.150 0.125        
KUCHI-GAREI   1 0.110 0.110 0.110        
GURE Large Scale Black Fish 1 0.030 0.030 0.030        
KUROUSHINOSHITA Black Tonguefish 5 0.020 0.030 0.024        
KUROGASHIRAKAREI Cresthead Flounder 2 0.011 0.031 0.021        
KURO-GAREI   3 0.000 0.070 0.033        
KUROSAGI   1 0.010 0.010 0.010        
KUROSOI Schlegel's Black Rockfish 1 0.150 0.150 0.150        
KURODAI Black Sea Bream 11 0.010 0.160 0.075        
KUROMAGURO Bluefin Tuna 14 0.390 6.100 1.305 14 0.290 4.200 0.918
KUROMAGURO(younger) Bluefin Tuna 3 0.140 0.190 0.160        
KUROMUTSU Japanese Bluefish 50 0.120 0.390 0.210 50 0.000 0.430 0.238
GETA-GAREI   3 0.023 0.040 0.032        
KOI Carp 12 0.000 0.040 0.022        
KOICHI White Flower Croaker 4 0.020 0.140 0.072        
KOCHI Bartailed Flathead 4 0.020 0.290 0.120        
KONOSHIRO Japanese Gizzard Shad 18 0.000 0.040 0.018        
KOHADA Japanese Gizzard Shad 3 0.010 0.011 0.010        
GOMASABA Spotted Chub mackerel 13 0.020 0.480 0.142 2 0.160 0.160 0.160
SALMON Salmon 4 0.020 0.040 0.030        
Salmon Trout Salmon Trout 2 0.011 0.028 0.020        
Samon Fillet Sammon Fillet 2 0.000 0.000 0.000        
SAKURAMASU Masu Salmon 2 0.010 0.010 0.010        
SAKE Chum Salmon 12 0.000 0.040 0.014        
SAGOSHI Japanese Spanish Mackerel 6 0.000 0.067 0.034        
SAGOCHI Japanese Spanish Mackerel 2 0.060 0.060 0.060        
SASAUSHINOSHITA Hookmouth Sole 1 0.010 0.010 0.010        
SABA Chub Mackerel 32 0.000 0.230 0.086        
SAME Shark 2 0.260 0.600 0.430        
SAYORI Halfbeak 12 0.000 0.060 0.019        
SAWARA Japanese Spanish Mackerel 8 0.010 0.097 0.040        
SANMA Pacific Saury 32 0.030 0.160 0.065        
SHIIRA Dolphin Fish 5 0.020 0.240 0.096 2 0.140 0.140 0.140
SHISHAMO Shishamo Smelt 3 0.013 0.030 0.021        
SHIZU Butter Fish 5 0.000 0.050 0.022        
SHITA-GAREI   1 0.020 0.020 0.020        
SHITA-HIRAME Tonguefish 2 0.060 0.060 0.060        
SHITA-BIRAME Tonguefish 4 0.010 0.048 0.032        
SHIMA-AJI Striped Jack 32 0.010 0.320 0.109        
SHANGHAI-GANI Chinese Mitten Crab 2 0.030 0.030 0.030        
SHIRUBA   2 0.060 0.060 0.060        
SHIROAMADAI White Horsehead 2 0.062 0.074 0.068        
SHIROGISU Japanese Whiting 4 0.010 0.140 0.063        
SHIROGUCHI White Croaker 1 0.130 0.130 0.130        
SHIROMUTSU   1 0.130 0.130 0.130 1 0.010 0.010 0.010
SUKESODARA Alaska Pollock 3 0.040 0.250 0.157        
SUKETODARA Alaska Pollock 2 0.010 0.010 0.010        
SUZUKI Japanese Sea Bass Perch 143 0.000 0.510 0.100 61 0.020 0.550 0.085
SUNAGAREI   1 0.044 0.044 0.044        
SEIGO Japanese Sea Bass Perch 7 0.020 0.060 0.040 1 0.010 0.010 0.010
SOI Schlegel's Black Rockfish 2 0.010 0.150 0.080        
SODAKATSUO Bonito 1 0.210 0.210 0.210        
SODAGATSUO Bonito 3 0.081 0.370 0.227        
TAI Red Sea Bream 55 0.000 0.270 0.080        
TAKABE Yellow Striped Butterfish 7 0.050 0.060 0.053        
TACHIUO Atlantic Cutlassfish 24 0.000 0.190 0.063        
DATSU needlefish 1 0.060 0.060 0.060        
TANAGO Surfperch 4 0.009 0.040 0.025        
TARA Pacific Cod 5 0.030 0.400 0.183        
CHIKO-DAI Crimson Sea Bream 2 0.030 0.050 0.040        
CHIDAI Crimson Sea Bream 2 0.040 0.060 0.050        
CHINU Black Sea Bream 3 0.140 0.240 0.187        
CHIRIGIN   1 0.000 0.000 0.000        
TSUBASU   10 0.000 0.100 0.044        
TENKOCHI   1 0.020 0.020 0.020        
TOKUBIRE   2 0.050 0.094 0.072        
DOJYO Loach 4 0.070 0.090 0.080        
TOBIUO Flyingfish 20 0.000 0.080 0.036        
TORAFUGU Ocellate Puffer 15 0.030 0.230 0.096 2 0.090 0.090 0.090
NAGAHAGI   1 0.017 0.017 0.017        
NAMAZU Japanese Catfish 2 0.006 0.260 0.133        
NAMETAGAREI Slime Flounder 1 0.023 0.023 0.023        
NIGISU Japanese Argentine 2 0.010 0.080 0.045        
NIJIMASU Rainbow Trout 9 0.020 0.450 0.136 1 0.330 0.330 0.330
NISHIN Pacific Herring 8 0.000 0.050 0.025        
NIBE Blue Drum 1 0.140 0.140 0.140        
New Zealand Bass New Zealand Bass 1 0.040 0.040 0.040        
NEMETA-GAREI   2 0.010 0.010 0.010        
HAGATSUO Striped Bonito 1 0.258 0.258 0.258        
HASU Piscivorous Chub 4 0.074 0.121 0.098 4 0.023 0.064 0.039
Butterfish Butter Fish 2 0.070 0.070 0.070        
HATAHATA Japanese Sandfish 12 0.010 0.110 0.040        
BACHI-MAGURO Bigeye Tuna 1 0.250 0.250 0.250        
HAMADAI Ruby Snapper 2 0.110 0.110 0.110 2 0.160 0.160 0.160
HAMACHI Yellowtail 40 0.012 0.280 0.102 2 0.260 0.260 0.260
HAMO Pike Eel 9 0.020 0.310 0.090        
HIGEN-DAI   2 0.090 0.120 0.105        
HIME-DAI Crimson Snapper 2 0.040 0.040 0.040        
HIRA-AJI   1 0.080 0.080 0.080        
HIRAMASA Amberjack 5 0.030 0.140 0.066        
HIRAME Olive Flounder 78 0.000 0.260 0.053        
BIWAMASU Biwa Trout 4 0.029 0.049 0.041 4 0.013 0.026 0.022
BINNAGA Albacore 1 0.120 0.120 0.120        
FUSEI Large Yellow Croaker 1 0.050 0.050 0.050        
FUGU Puffer Fish 2 0.043 0.050 0.047        
FUNA Silver Crucian Carp 5 0.010 0.170 0.054        
BURI Yellowtail 24 0.017 0.510 0.128 2 0.390 0.390 0.390
HOUKI-HATA Comet Grouper 2 0.000 0.000 0.000        
HOUBOU Bluefin Searobin 6 0.040 0.164 0.094        
HOKI Hoki 2 0.157 0.380 0.269        
HOBO-MEBARU   1 0.060 0.060 0.060        
HOSHIZAME Starspotted Smooth-Hound 2 0.120 0.130 0.125        
HOKKE Arabesque Greenling 7 0.002 0.050 0.024        
BORA Mullet 17 0.000 0.020 0.006        
HONMASU   1 0.080 0.080 0.080        
MA-AJI Yellowfin Horse Mackerel 70 0.000 0.197 0.045        
MA-ANAGO Conger Eel 6 0.030 0.070 0.050        
MA-IWASHI Japanese Sardine 33 0.000 0.230 0.029        
MAKAJIKI Striped Marlin 4 0.380 0.810 0.595 2 0.850 0.850 0.850
MAGAREI Small Mouthed Sole 1 0.111 0.111 0.111        
MAGURO Tuna 1 0.290 0.290 0.290        
MAKOGAREI Marbled Sole 11 0.000 0.110 0.033        
MAGOCHI Bartailed Flathead 7 0.030 0.110 0.064 2 0.140 0.140 0.140
MASABA Chub Mackerel 33 0.025 0.384 0.134 6 0.100 0.310 0.210
MASU Trout 4 0.040 0.150 0.078        
MADAI Red Sea Bream 77 0.000 0.550 0.124 4 0.340 0.380 0.360
MADAKA-GAREI   3 0.020 0.050 0.040        
MADARA Pacific Cod 11 0.040 0.270 0.098        
MATOU-DAI Target Dory 2 0.090 0.250 0.170 1 0.200 0.200 0.200
MANAGATSUO Butter Fish 10 0.000 0.032 0.018        
MAHATA Convict Rock Cod 4 0.080 0.130 0.115 2 0.120 0.120 0.120
MARUAJI Amberfish 7 0.000 0.070 0.038        
MISHIMAOKOZE   2 0.030 0.380 0.205        
MIZU-GAREI   3 0.050 0.080 0.063        
MUTSU Japanese Bluefish 3 0.190 0.336 0.239        
MEITA-GAREI Frog Flounder 7 0.000 0.030 0.017        
MEGISU Japanese Argentine 4 0.060 0.080 0.070        
MEGOCHI Bigeyed Flathead 1 0.045 0.045 0.045        
MEJI Bluefin Tuna 1 0.150 0.150 0.150        
MEJIAGURO Bluefin Tuna 2 0.170 0.170 0.170 2 0.160 0.160 0.160
MEJINA Large Scale Black Fish 8 0.003 0.230 0.051        
MEJIMAGURO Bluefin Tuna 2 0.130 0.130 0.130        
MEJIRO Yellowtail 1 0.220 0.220 0.220        
MEDAI Japanese Gnomefish 4 0.004 0.090 0.036        
MENUKE Matsubara's Red Rockfish 2 0.530 0.530 0.530 2 0.860 0.860 0.860
MEBACHI-MAGURO Bigeye Tuna 11 0.460 3.100 1.231 11 0.410 2.300 0.959
MEBARU Black Rockfish 15 0.010 0.089 0.043        
MERO   6 0.030 0.220 0.150 2 0.350 0.350 0.350
MOCHIUO   5 0.030 0.240 0.114        
YANAGINOMAI Yellow Body Rockfish 3 0.064 0.197 0.122        
YAMATOKAMASU Japanese Barracuda 1 0.370 0.370 0.370        
YAMAME Masu Trout 13 0.000 0.110 0.041        
YUMEKASAGO   50 0.180 0.670 0.342 50 0.200 0.520 0.328
RAPURATAYUMEKASAGO   2 0.020 0.020 0.020        
RENKODAI Yellow Porgy 1 0.080 0.080 0.080        
WAKASAGI Japanese Smelt 4 0.010 0.020 0.020        
WAKANAGO   1 0.050 0.050 0.050        
WANIESO   2 0.062 0.090 0.076        
WARASA Yellowtail 4 0.030 0.200 0.120 2 0.200 0.200 0.200
    1,987 0.000 6.100 0.108 294 0.000 4.200 0.310
AOYAGI Hen Clam 1 0.010 0.010 0.010        
AKAGAI Bloody Clam 22 0.000 0.040 0.010        
ASARI Short-neck Clam 76 0.000 0.090 0.010        
AWABI ABALONE 1 0.001 0.001 0.001        
IWAGAI   4 0.010 0.010 0.010        
IWAGAKI   6 0.000 0.010 0.000        
UCHIMURASAKI   1 0.000 0.000 0.000        
EZOBORA Whelk 2 0.030 0.030 0.030        
ECCHU-BAIGAI Whelk 2 0.010 0.010 0.010        
KAKI Oyster 10 0.000 0.023 0.011        
KARASUGAI   1 0.070 0.070 0.070        
SAZAE Top Shell 4 0.000 0.003 0.002        
SHIJIMI Freshwater Clam 1 0.220 0.220 0.220        
SHIROMIRUGAI Geoduck 2 0.010 0.010 0.010        
TAIRAGI Japanese Pen Shell 2 0.070 0.070 0.070        
TAIRAGI-GAI Japanese Pen Shell 1 0.000 0.000 0.000        
TAIRAGI KAIBASHIRA Japanese Pen Shell 1 0.000 0.000 0.000        
CHILE-AWABI Barnacle Rock-shell 2 0.000 0.000 0.000        
TSUBUGAI Whelk 2 0.010 0.010 0.010        
TOKOBUSHI Japanese Abalone 3 0.020 0.030 0.027        
TORIGAI Japanese Cockle 8 0.000 0.020 0.005        
NAMIGAI Geoduck 2 0.010 0.010 0.010        
PAHNAGAI Mussel 1 0.020 0.020 0.020        
BAIGAI Ivory Shell 2 0.210 0.210 0.210 2 0.270 0.270 0.270
HAMAGURI Hard Clam 13 0.000 0.140 0.027        
HOTATE Scallop 66 0.000 0.110 0.012        
HOKKIGAI Surf Clam 13 0.000 0.060 0.017        
MAGAKI Pacific Oyster 43 0.000 0.130 0.010        
MATEGAI Jack-knife Clam 2 0.010 0.010 0.010        
YAMATO-SHIJIMI Freshwater Clam 3 0.000 0.000 0.000        
    297 0.000 0.220 0.014 2 0.270 0.270 0.270
AORI-IKA Big Fin Reef Squid 3 0.018 0.060 0.046        
AKAIKA Neon Flying Squid 1 0.060 0.060 0.060        
AMAEBI Northern Shrimp 6 0.000 0.051 0.025        
IIDAKO Webfoot Octopus 4 0.000 0.020 0.008        
IKA Squid 12 0.000 0.130 0.029        
ISE-EBI Japanese Spiny Lobster 2 0.070 0.070 0.070        
UNI Sea Urchin 9 0.000 0.040 0.004        
EBI Shrimp 57 0.000 0.085 0.015        
OMA-RU Lobster 3 0.030 0.050 0.043        
KAWAEBI Freshwater Prawn 2 0.000 0.000 0.000        
KURUMAEBI Kuruma Prawn 10 0.000 0.040 0.021        
KEGANI Horse Hair Crub 1 0.028 0.028 0.028        
KENSAKI-IKA Swordtip Squid 3 0.010 0.018 0.013        
KOUIKA Golden Cuttlefish 5 0.010 0.010 0.010        
SAKURAEBI Sakura Shrimp 1 0.020 0.020 0.020        
SHIBAEBI Shiba Shrimp 7 0.000 0.110 0.050        
SHAKO Manrtis Shrimp 1 0.020 0.020 0.020        
SHIROIKA Swordtip Squid 4 0.010 0.050 0.030        
SUJIEBI River Shrimp 4 0.012 0.016 0.015 4 0.000 0.000 0.000
SURUMEIKA Japanese Common Squid 21 0.000 0.170 0.064 2 0.040 0.040 0.040
ZUWAIGANI Snow Crab 4 0.010 0.100 0.048        
TAKO Common Octopus 15 0.000 0.100 0.031        
TARABAGANI Alaskan King Crab 5 0.020 0.100 0.042        
HANASAKIGANI Blue King Crab 1 0.009 0.009 0.009        
HARI-IKA Golden Cuttlefish 2 0.010 0.090 0.050        
BLACKTIGER Black Tiger 21 0.000 0.120 0.019        
HOTARUIKA Sparkling Enop Squid 2 0.020 0.020 0.020        
HOYA Sea Squirt 1 0.000 0.000 0.000        
MAIKA Japanese Flying Squid 1 0.060 0.060 0.060        
MADAKO Common Octopus 3 0.020 0.050 0.040        
MIMI-IKA   2 0.000 0.030 0.015        
MURASAKI-IKA Neon Flying Squid 1 0.028 0.028 0.028        
MONGO-IKA Common Cuttlefish 12 0.000 0.240 0.060        
YARI-IKA Spear Squid 10 0.000 0.050 0.021        
LOBSTER Lobster 1 0.040 0.040 0.040        
    237 0.000 0.240 0.029 6 0.000 0.040 0.013

Reference:Standards and Evaluation Division Department of Food Safety Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare TEL:03-5253-1111(ex.2489)


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