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Report: Benefits of Seafood Outweigh Risks

Seafood is an excellent source of lean protein and omega-3 fatty acids. But it can also be contaminated with infectious microbes and toxic compounds such as mercury. But to date, federal agencies have conveyed contradictory messages to the public, playing up the risks of mercury but also touting fish as a healthier alternative to beef or pork.

A new report by the Institute of Medicine at the National Academies says the federal government should stop sending mixed messages about seafood, boost testing for contaminants and make it easier for consumers to find up-to-date information.

The bottom line? Seafood is good for you -- just don't go overboard...

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Allison Aubrey is a correspondent for NPR News, where her stories can be heard on Morning Edition and All Things Considered. She's also a contributor to the PBS NewsHour and is one of the hosts of NPR's Life Kit.
Madeleine Brand
Madeleine Brand is the host of NPR’s newest and fastest-growing daily show, Day to Day. She conducts interviews with newsmakers (Iraqi politicians, US senators), entertainment figures (Bernardo Bertolluci, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Ricky Gervais), and the everyday people affected by the news (an autoworker laid off at GM, a mother whose son was killed in Iraq).