Fish can become sick.
Water quality has to be managed.
And, in some circumstances, medications may be used to treat diseases in farmed fish.
The FDA specifically identifies animal-drug residues as one of the
food-safety hazards that regulators monitor in aquaculture. Approved drugs have specific rules governing their use, including withdrawal periods and residue limits.
This does not mean that ordinary farmed tilapia automatically contains dangerous antibiotics.
It means that the quality and safety of farmed fish depend partly on how the farming operation is managed and regulated.
That distinction is important.
This is one area where tilapia actually compares favorably with many larger fish.
Mercury is a legitimate concern when eating seafood, particularly methylmercury, which can accumulate in fish.
Long-term exposure to excessive
methylmercury can affect the nervous system, and pregnant people and young children are particularly important populations when considering mercury exposure.
But fish are not equally affected.
