Is Your Salmon Farmed Or Wild?

When dining on salmon at your local restaurant, are you aware whether the fish you're eating is wild or farm-raised? You may not think of fish as being farmed but the fact is that 98 percent of the salmon consumed in the United States is farmed. In this case the term farmed or farm-raised means the fish are grown, fed, and kept netted to help meet the increasing demand for fresh fish.

Fish is an important part of a heart-healthy diet, but there are some considerations when selecting your salmon source. Studies have shown that farm-raised salmon tends to have a slightly higher fat content than wild salmon, thus adding more calories. Why more fat? Well, it turns out that salmon are just like humans. Farmed fish get less exercise so, just like us, they pile on more fat. In addition, because of the way it is bred, farm-raised salmon is more prevalent and is half the price of wild salmon.

Another concern that's been in the news is the association between chemicals and farm-raised salmon. Information I reviewed showed that farm-raised salmon may contain higher levels of certain chemicals.

All farm-raised fish, for example, contain some levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), a chemical found in the fishmeal used to raise the fish. Because PCBs are stored in fat, the increased fat content of farm-raised fish ensures that PCBs remain in the salmon for an extended period of time.

However, most researchers do not believe that the level of these chemicals present in farm-raised fish is enough to cause harm. All fish, whether farmed or wild, must meet FDA limits for PCB content to be considered safe to eat.

It is important to know where the salmon you purchase or order was raised to know how safe it is to consume. Some studies have shown that fish raised in Chile and the United States has a lower chemical content than fish raised in Europe.

In addition to PCBs, remember that all types of salmon pose a risk for their mercury content. This is of greatest concern to women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, and to young children.

Next time you decide to prepare salmon for dinner, consider the following tips:

• If you can afford it and it's available, consider wild salmon over farm raised.

• Try to skin any visible fat from the salmon as the PCB concentration will be greatest there.

• Broil or grill the fish to reduce fat further.

• Remember that the heart-healthy benefits that salmon provides may outweigh the risks of getting cancer from farmed salmon.

• Salmon should be eaten as part of a well-balanced diet.