Advantages of Eating Fish for Human Health

Subtopics Fish and shellfish as food Fish is good for your body Safe food Solutions and actions taken to secure safe fish consumption	Kristian (7) - May I present Mr Fish, Mr Fish, Mr Fish, Mr Fish and Mr Fish. They are all good for your health	Next
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Fish have always been important to man. The harvesting and production of fish has influenced many aspects of human life from seamanship to welfare, power and health.

The fish consumption per capita is expanding globally, and the pattern of fish consumption is changing. In developed economies the trend is that fish is increasingly becoming a culinary speciality rather than a basic food. In developing countries fish is still very much an essential food and a main source of protein. The expected level of stabilisation of fish consumption is in the range 40 to 60 kg/capita/year. The trends in modern consumer demands, which lead to increased consumption are: demand for health, demand for quality, demand for safety, demand for convenience and demand for natural unspoilt products. Fish is acknowledged as being healthy. As for the other demands, fish is a good starting point.

Fish fats (e.g. essential fatty acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids) are especially good for human health. The proteins, vitamins and minerals from fish are a valuable parts of our diet. As with all foodstuffs, fish also can cause illness in the humans eating it. This mainly comes from poisoning, foodborn infections and allergic responces. Poisoning comes from both biotoxins (toxins produced by biological organisms like alga) and from pollutions and environmental toxins accumulated in fish.

To avoid these hazards different measures can be taken. In the long term man has to reduce pollution of the environment. The legislative systems (national and European) imposed on the fish processing industry for food safety are important measures in securing consumer well-being. The most important system in this context is the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) system. This system is widely used both in America and Europe, and is getting increased global usage. But the ultimate responsibility belongs to the consumer. Only the consumer himself/ herself can secure the quality of his/ her food intake.

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