Response to Concerns about Tilapia

A recent study in the media raised important questions regarding the health benefits of eating farmed Tilapia. We hope the information below addresses your concerns.

Can Tilapia be a part of a healthy diet?

In Canada’s Food Guide, Health Canada recommends eating at least two servings of fish per week. Fish is low in total and saturated fat and high in dietary protein. The latter is essential to build and repair body tissue. Fish also contains essential trace minerals, and essential omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA).

Tilapia, like most fish, contains omega-3 as well as some omega-6. Studies have shown that omega-3 fatty acids can be helpful in combating chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, osteoporosis, depression, and macular degeneration.

Tilapia is an example of a leaner fish that has fewer omega-3 than more oily fish like salmon, but still provides more of these heart-healthy nutrients than hamburger, steak, chicken, pork or turkey. In fact, a 3-ounce serving of Tilapia typically provides over 100 mg of the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA. Tilapia is low in total and saturated fats and high in protein. It clearly can be part of a healthy diet. ¹

Sources indicate that farmed Tilapia and catfish contain somewhat more omega-6 fatty acids than omega-3. Most health experts (including organizations like the American Heart Association and the American Dietetic Association) agree that omega-6 fatty acids like omega-3, are heart-healthy nutrients which should be a part of everyone's diet. Omega-6 fatty acids are found primarily in vegetable oils (corn, soybean, safflower, etc.), but also in salad dressings, nuts, whole-wheat bread, and chicken. ¹

There is no scientific consensus that lower omega-3, higher omega-6 fish are unhealthy. The idea that a food is harmful simply because it has more omega-6 than omega-3 has been rejected by international experts, including the Mayo Clinic, a coalition of doctors and leading scientists in the United States. To learn more about Tilapia, go to www.aboutTilapia.com.

Here is a list of High Liner's Tilapia products:

Tilapia Fillets - Individually Quick Frozen
Signature Multigrain Tilapia Breaded Fillets
Signature Tilapia Fillets with a Lemon Herb Crust

¹Source: http://www.abouttilapia.com/Experts.html

Is High Liner Tilapia farmed or wild?

High Liner Tilapia Fillets is an aquaculture (farmed) product. Our Tilapia are sourced from deep freshwater ponds from systematically audited suppliers and are fed a mixture of grain and fishmeal. The grain is grown in the local area, and consists of wheat and/or oats and/or (most commonly) rice. The high-quality fishmeal is usually sourced from the west coast of South America, and is made from herring, anchovy, and other small fish, and never made from the waste products of the fish being grown. Aquaculture (farmed) fish used by High Liner Foods are not fed or treated with chemical additives.

Follow Canada’s Food Guide

Health Canada recommends Canadians eat the amount and type of food described in Canada’s Food Guide for overall health and vitality. High Liner Foods supports these recommendations and urges our customers to read and follow Canada’s Food Guide.

http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/food-guide-aliment/index-eng.php

High Liner Foods Inc.

For over a century, our company has been dedicated to providing you with high-quality, healthy and great tasting seafood. Our quality control measures are stringent and comprehensive, ensuring that food safety and quality are never compromised.