Fish Consumption Guidance

The Fish Consumption Guidance program at MDH, working alongside other state agencies, reviews scientific information and contaminant data for Minnesota waterbodies regularly and issues updated guidance as necessary. The most studied contaminants in Minnesota fish include mercury, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

Fish are an important part of a nutritious, well-balanced diet and part of many Minnesotan traditions and cultures. MDH’s fish consumption guidance is intended to provide Minnesotans with the information they need to make informed choices for the health and safety of their family.

Minnesota fish consumption guidelines depend on the fish you eat and who you are. People who are pregnant, planning to be pregnant, and children need to be more careful about what kinds of fish to eat and how often to eat fish, as they are more sensitive to contaminants.

The data collected on fish contaminants in Minnesota to inform guidelines are based on fish fillets or muscle tissue. If you eat other parts of the fish your exposure to these contaminants will differ. PCBs and PFAS have higher concentrations in whole fish. MDH is improving our methods for providing guidelines, including consideration of how to provide specific guidelines for consumption of other parts of fish.

Eating Fish: Benefits and Serving Sizes
Benefits of eating fish, choosing fish to eat, and fish serving sizes.