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All fish is foul; try imitation seafood

All fish is foul; try imitation seafood

Date published: 6/30/2004

The new warning against eating fish caught in Lake Anna should give seafood lovers food for thought ["Officials: Don't keep those carp," June 15]: Eating any sea animal is like playing Russian roulette with your health.

Seafood is the No. 1 cause of food poisoning in the United States. Fish flesh is frequently contaminated with mercury (which can cause brain damage) and toxic chemicals like DDT, PCBs, and dioxin (which have been linked to cancer, nervous-system disorders, and fetal damage), as well as disease-causing bacteria.

It's also loaded with artery-clogging fat and cholesterol. Salmon, for example, is 52 percent fat, and ounce for ounce, shrimp has twice as much cholesterol as beef.

Why not try faux fish instead? Vegetarian products like Tuno (available in health-food stores) and mock lobster, shrimp, and crab roll (available online) have all the taste of the "real thing"--but none of the cruelty, cholesterol, or contaminants.

Paula Moore

Norfolk

Paula Moore is a staff writer for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.

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Date published: 6/30/2004