Farmed salmon may not be as nutritious as it once was, new research suggests
New research, primarily from USDA scientists, indicates that farmed salmon now contains considerably lower levels of Omega-3 fatty acids than previously thought, due to changes in their feed. This finding suggests that current dietary recommendations from health organizations regarding salmon consumption may be outdated.
Why it matters
The reduced nutritional value of farmed salmon impacts public health, as consumers may not be getting the expected Omega-3 benefits, and highlights significant environmental and climate consequences stemming from the altered diets of farmed fish.
wrong diet Farmed salmon may not be as nutritious as it once was, new research suggests The shift in the fish’s diet is having significant downstream impacts on the environment and climate.
9 Credit: Manuel Romano/NurPhoto Credit: Manuel Romano/NurPhoto Text settings Story text Size Small Standard Large Width * Standard Wide Links Standard Orange * Subscribers only Learn more Minimize to nav Eat more fatty fish.
That dietary advice has changed the way the world consumes salmon, pushing consumer demand ever upward and production to higher and higher levels. Most of that demand is being met with farmed salmon: Today, nearly 70 percent of the salmon consumed on the planet are raised in pens and cages.
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