Ireland ranks low for seafood diet

IRISH people eat less than half the quantity of fish consumed in other coastal countries, a world seafood conference heard yesterday.

Deputy chief executive of the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) Alan Reilly said it defied logic that Ireland — an island nation with an abundance of seafood — had such a poor ranking in fish eating.

Irish people only consume 7.2kg of fish a person a year compared with the Japanese and those in Mediterranean countries who consume about 16.5kg.

“Given the evidence that a diet containing high proportions of fish can help prevent a range of illnesses, including heart disease and some cancers, it is particularly concerning that Irish people are not seeking to increase their intake,” said Mr Reilly.

The FSAI believes the benefits of essential fatty acids found in fish are under utilised by the medical profession as a potential treatment for those at risk of heart disease in Ireland.

“While medicines have their place, we should be advocating prevention and not recommend ‘a pill for every ill’ as the first line of defence where possible,” said Mr Reilly.

Fish is a huge source of high-quality protein, essential fatty acids, minerals such as iodine and selenium and vitamins A, B and D.