IraRunyan
Aug-12-2008, 10:15 AM
Pig Frogs are commercially hunted to provide restaurants with frog legs. You should be aware that in May of this year (2008), the state of Florida issued a warning about high mercury content in frogs taken in the Everglades.............
These Pig Frogs were in the Viera Wetlands.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0803/irarunyan/PigFrog_7966.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0803/irarunyan/PigFrog_8054.jpg
Consumption advisory for pig frog legs
May 14, 2008
Contact: Susan Smith, DOH, 850-245-4111; Carli Segelson, FWC, 727-896-8626
The Florida Department of Health (DOH) and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) jointly issued a consumption advisory today for pig frog legs taken from any part of the Everglades and Francis S. Taylor Wildlife Management Area. This advisory covers all of Water Conservation Areas (WCAs) 2 and 3 due to elevated levels of mercury found in these frogs.
"The developing nervous system is more sensitive to the damage from mercury than the mature nervous system. By limiting the mother's exposure to mercury before and during pregnancy, we can prevent damage to the nervous system of her child," said Lisa Conti, Division of Environmental Health Director, D.V.M., M.P.H., Dipl. ACVPM.
The total mercury intake by the mother determines the risk level to her child for nervous system damage. Since mercury may also be contained in some species of fish, anyone who consumes pig frogs covered by this advisory should only eat fish listed as low in mercury by the DOH's Fish Consumption Advisory or the U.S. Food and Drug Administration until the consumption interval for pig frogs has passed. Before deciding to consume pig frog legs rather than fish, the mother should consider the benefits from consuming fish that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids versus consuming frogs without that benefit.
Women who are not of childbearing age and all others should also limit their consumption of pig frogs from the Water Conservation Areas. DOH recommends that individuals in this group should eat no more than two 8-ounce meals of frog leg meat per week from WCA 2 or 3.
This is the first consumption advisory for mercury issued in Florida for a species other than fish or shellfish. Mercury is commonly concentrated in predators at the top of the food chain. However, any animals that live or feed primarily in the aquatic environment have the potential to accumulate mercury. If you consume these types of animals, you should be aware that you may have been exposed to mercury. The only way to know if you have been exposed is to have your blood tested for mercury. Your personal physician can order the test from most clinical laboratories.
These Pig Frogs were in the Viera Wetlands.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0803/irarunyan/PigFrog_7966.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0803/irarunyan/PigFrog_8054.jpg
Consumption advisory for pig frog legs
May 14, 2008
Contact: Susan Smith, DOH, 850-245-4111; Carli Segelson, FWC, 727-896-8626
The Florida Department of Health (DOH) and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) jointly issued a consumption advisory today for pig frog legs taken from any part of the Everglades and Francis S. Taylor Wildlife Management Area. This advisory covers all of Water Conservation Areas (WCAs) 2 and 3 due to elevated levels of mercury found in these frogs.
"The developing nervous system is more sensitive to the damage from mercury than the mature nervous system. By limiting the mother's exposure to mercury before and during pregnancy, we can prevent damage to the nervous system of her child," said Lisa Conti, Division of Environmental Health Director, D.V.M., M.P.H., Dipl. ACVPM.
The total mercury intake by the mother determines the risk level to her child for nervous system damage. Since mercury may also be contained in some species of fish, anyone who consumes pig frogs covered by this advisory should only eat fish listed as low in mercury by the DOH's Fish Consumption Advisory or the U.S. Food and Drug Administration until the consumption interval for pig frogs has passed. Before deciding to consume pig frog legs rather than fish, the mother should consider the benefits from consuming fish that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids versus consuming frogs without that benefit.
Women who are not of childbearing age and all others should also limit their consumption of pig frogs from the Water Conservation Areas. DOH recommends that individuals in this group should eat no more than two 8-ounce meals of frog leg meat per week from WCA 2 or 3.
This is the first consumption advisory for mercury issued in Florida for a species other than fish or shellfish. Mercury is commonly concentrated in predators at the top of the food chain. However, any animals that live or feed primarily in the aquatic environment have the potential to accumulate mercury. If you consume these types of animals, you should be aware that you may have been exposed to mercury. The only way to know if you have been exposed is to have your blood tested for mercury. Your personal physician can order the test from most clinical laboratories.