Is Talapia a Potential Source of Carcinogens?

There have been numerous reports over the past year or so of Chinese raised Tilapia being raised on animal feces.  But what is more concerning is the fact that, according to a recent report, certain potentially carcinogenic antibiotics have been used in fish farms. MSN reports:

"Eisenman wrote that as far as her agency is concerned, the only food-safety issue specific to Chinese seafood has been the types and levels of antibiotics used on the fish. An official FDA "Import Alert" was issued on June 27, 2013, that names China as having frequently used potentially carcinogenic antibiotics on its fish farms. The alert vows that the agency will stop any shipments of fish that contain antibiotics like malachite green, nitrofurans, fluoroquinolones, and gentian violet."

(http://news.msn.com/rumors/rumor-imported-chinese-tilapia-are-often-raised-on-feces )

The Monteray Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch also comments on this subject:

"Chinese farms do discharge the water without relevant treatment, however, and there is evidence that some banned chemicals - including antibiotics and fungal treatments (nitrofurans and malachite green) - are still used in Chinese tilapia production."
http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/cr/SeafoodWatch/web/sfw_factsheet.aspx?fid=195

So, although the FDA typically bans imports that contain potentially harmful chemicals/bacteria upon inspection, it seems logical to assume that some of these tainted products have slipped through at one time or another before they were on the FDA radar, and there is evidence that some of these chemicals are still being used.

The Monteray Bay Aquarium  Seafood Watch lists Talapia as an acceptable fish source now after some changes in production habits, but list Talapia from the US or Equador as a better choice.

(http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/cr/SeafoodWatch/web/sfw_factsheet.aspx?fid=195)

Tilapia from China is commonly sold in supermarkets in the US, including Aldis and Walmart. For more information on FDA import alerts on seafood, go to their website:

http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/cms_ia/importalert_27.html

When considering nutritional value, Tilapia is low in Omega 3 and fish oil, and aside from cost effectiveness and taste, it is not the healthiest type of fish to eat. Be careful, though, because many other fish contain other harmful substances such as mercury.  For more detailed information on various fish, again, the Monteray Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch has great information on all types of fish and their potentially harmful substances at this website:

http://www.montereybayaquarium.org//cr/SeafoodWatch/web/sfw_factsheet.aspx?gid=49