By IANS
Sydney : Children below six years of age should not be fed big fish as they contain higher levels of mercury that could harm the brain and nervous system, Australian scientists have warned.
Scientists at Sydney’s Westmead Hospital studied three Asian families who fed their children a rice porridge dish called congee, which contains fish and is often used as a weaning food.
They found that in some cases the children had mercury levels up to five times higher than normal, reported the online edition of Australia Broadcasting Corporation (ABC).
The researchers said parents should avoid feeding large species like catfish, marlin and swordfish to small children and instead give them smaller species of fish as they contain less mercury.
Children’s consumption of fish should be restricted to two or three portions a week, they said.