Comments on: My Aquaculture Journey http://blog.wholefoodsmarket.com/2008/07/my-aquaculture-journey/ The Official Whole Foods Market Blog Tue, 14 Feb 2012 16:14:52 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Corn in Seafood Feed « The R.O.C.K. http://blog.wholefoodsmarket.com/2008/07/my-aquaculture-journey/#comment-47511 Corn in Seafood Feed « The R.O.C.K. Mon, 21 Jun 2010 15:43:24 +0000 http://blog.wholefoodsmarket.com/?p=367#comment-47511 [...] The ingredients used in feed will vary from farm to farm and species to species depending upon the nutritional requirements of the species and the availability of ingredients. Feed includes sources of protein, fat, and carbohydrates. As far as plant-based ingredients are concerned, many farmers use soybean meal. Grains can include wheat flour or rice bran. Some producers of farmed salmon use corn, for example, while others don’t. As we mentioned in our seafood blog, in thinking about the ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids in one’s diet, it’s important to think about one’s entire diet, including the sources of fats one consumes (such as cooking oils). Fish is a good source of lean protein. But it’s a good idea to eat a varied diet that includes fish that are high in omega-3’s, such as salmon and sardines. We encourage you to check our seafood blog, where we discuss this issue in the context of tilapia http://blog.wholefoodsmarket.com/2008/07/my-aquaculture-journey/#more-367. [...] [...] The ingredients used in feed will vary from farm to farm and species to species depending upon the nutritional requirements of the species and the availability of ingredients. Feed includes sources of protein, fat, and carbohydrates. As far as plant-based ingredients are concerned, many farmers use soybean meal. Grains can include wheat flour or rice bran. Some producers of farmed salmon use corn, for example, while others don’t. As we mentioned in our seafood blog, in thinking about the ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids in one’s diet, it’s important to think about one’s entire diet, including the sources of fats one consumes (such as cooking oils). Fish is a good source of lean protein. But it’s a good idea to eat a varied diet that includes fish that are high in omega-3’s, such as salmon and sardines. We encourage you to check our seafood blog, where we discuss this issue in the context of tilapia http://blog.wholefoodsmarket.com/2008/07/my-aquaculture-journey/#more-367. [...]

]]> By: Gordon Bowers http://blog.wholefoodsmarket.com/2008/07/my-aquaculture-journey/#comment-8130 Gordon Bowers Fri, 24 Oct 2008 17:26:18 +0000 http://blog.wholefoodsmarket.com/?p=367#comment-8130 Concerning farmed salmon sold by Whole Foods, Please indicate if farmed salmon feed contains corn-related products and vegetable oils. Current news indicates farmed salmon feed contains some corn-related products and vegetable oils. Thanks Concerning farmed salmon sold by Whole Foods, Please indicate if farmed salmon feed contains corn-related products and vegetable oils.

Current news indicates farmed salmon feed contains some corn-related products and vegetable oils.

Thanks

]]> By: Emilia http://blog.wholefoodsmarket.com/2008/07/my-aquaculture-journey/#comment-6369 Emilia Wed, 06 Aug 2008 21:35:08 +0000 http://blog.wholefoodsmarket.com/?p=367#comment-6369 I went to the new Whole Foods store that just opened and it is fabulous! A great place to stop in and pick up your breakfast or lunch if you work in the area. The store is really clean, the food is good what more could you ask for. I went to the new Whole Foods store that just opened and it is fabulous! A great place to stop in and pick up your breakfast or lunch if you work in the area. The store is really clean, the food is good what more could you ask for.

]]> By: Carrie Brownstein http://blog.wholefoodsmarket.com/2008/07/my-aquaculture-journey/#comment-6367 Carrie Brownstein Wed, 06 Aug 2008 13:59:13 +0000 http://blog.wholefoodsmarket.com/?p=367#comment-6367 We’ve received several comments from customers and readers concerned about the omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acid ratio in tilapia. I believe that these comments most likely stem from articles profiling a recent paper by Weaver et al. (2008) in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association, The Content of Favorable and Unfavorable Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Found in Commonly Eaten Fish. I have discussed this article with some experts and overall they believe that the findings of this study are not very significant or very new. The study found that omega-3 fatty acids were low in the tilapia sampled and as such, tilapia may not contribute significantly to omega 3-fatty acid content in a person’s diet. However, we already knew this. Tilapia doesn’t provide a lot of omega-3 fatty acids, while other species of fish do, such as salmon and sardines. In thinking about the ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids in one’s diet, it’s important to think about one’s entire diet, including the sources of fats one consumes (such as cooking oils). In this context, consuming tilapia would only be one small part of all the components (foods) that contribute to this ratio. Thus, there doesn’t seem to be a reason to worry about tilapia; it’s a good source of lean protein. But in addition, it’s a good idea to eat a varied diet that includes fish that are higher in omega-3’s. We’ve received several comments from customers and readers concerned about the omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acid ratio in tilapia. I believe that these comments most likely stem from articles profiling a recent paper by Weaver et al. (2008) in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association, The Content of Favorable and Unfavorable Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Found in Commonly Eaten Fish. I have discussed this article with some experts and overall they believe that the findings of this study are not very significant or very new. The study found that omega-3 fatty acids were low in the tilapia sampled and as such, tilapia may not contribute significantly to omega 3-fatty acid content in a person’s diet. However, we already knew this. Tilapia doesn’t provide a lot of omega-3 fatty acids, while other species of fish do, such as salmon and sardines. In thinking about the ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids in one’s diet, it’s important to think about one’s entire diet, including the sources of fats one consumes (such as cooking oils). In this context, consuming tilapia would only be one small part of all the components (foods) that contribute to this ratio. Thus, there doesn’t seem to be a reason to worry about tilapia; it’s a good source of lean protein. But in addition, it’s a good idea to eat a varied diet that includes fish that are higher in omega-3’s.

]]> By: Kevin Fitzsimmons http://blog.wholefoodsmarket.com/2008/07/my-aquaculture-journey/#comment-6315 Kevin Fitzsimmons Mon, 04 Aug 2008 23:04:09 +0000 http://blog.wholefoodsmarket.com/?p=367#comment-6315 A response for Bonnie and others interested in the omega 3 omega 6 ratio story. The Wake Forest research paper showed that tilapia were higher in omega 3 than most fishes other than salmonids. The omega 6 level was also higher than in most other fishes. The author stated that "all other nutritional aspects aside" tilapia may not be as good as some other fish, due to the ratio of omega 3 to 6. This is based on his theory, still being tested, that a high ratio of omega 6 to 3 is not healthy (theory is that it increase inflamation). He further stated that if his theory is correct, and as tilapia is a lower cost fish and if poor people ate only tilapia, and if they were at risk for cario-vascular problems, they should consider eating salmon instead as it was higher in omega 3 and lower in omega 6. Finally, contrary to the supposition of the author, corn is never the primary ingredient in tilapia diets. A review of many tilapia feed labels show that it is a minor ingredient, never more than the third most common ingredient in tilapia diets after soybean and wheat. Hope this is helpful. Kevin Fitzsimmons, Ph.D. University of Arizona A response for Bonnie and others interested in the omega 3 omega 6 ratio story. The Wake Forest research paper showed that tilapia were higher in omega 3 than most fishes other than salmonids. The omega 6 level was also higher than in most other fishes. The author stated that “all other nutritional aspects aside” tilapia may not be as good as some other fish, due to the ratio of omega 3 to 6. This is based on his theory, still being tested, that a high ratio of omega 6 to 3 is not healthy (theory is that it increase inflamation). He further stated that if his theory is correct, and as tilapia is a lower cost fish and if poor people ate only tilapia, and if they were at risk for cario-vascular problems, they should consider eating salmon instead as it was higher in omega 3 and lower in omega 6.

Finally, contrary to the supposition of the author, corn is never the primary ingredient in tilapia diets. A review of many tilapia feed labels show that it is a minor ingredient, never more than the third most common ingredient in tilapia diets after soybean and wheat.

Hope this is helpful.

Kevin Fitzsimmons, Ph.D.
University of Arizona

]]> By: Bonnie Hay http://blog.wholefoodsmarket.com/2008/07/my-aquaculture-journey/#comment-6197 Bonnie Hay Thu, 31 Jul 2008 18:55:16 +0000 http://blog.wholefoodsmarket.com/?p=367#comment-6197 Good to see these standards made public. I have an additional question on tilapia. I understand that farmed tilapia may be fed a primarily corn based diet and that recent research has shown that tilapia fed this type of diet have a less than healthy (for human consumption) profile of high omega 6 and low omega 3 fatty acids. Does WFM have a stance on this. Are WFM tilapia primarily corn fed? Thanks for any insight on this. Good to see these standards made public. I have an additional question on tilapia. I understand that farmed tilapia may be fed a primarily corn based diet and that recent research has shown that tilapia fed this type of diet have a less than healthy (for human consumption) profile of high omega 6 and low omega 3 fatty acids. Does WFM have a stance on this. Are WFM tilapia primarily corn fed? Thanks for any insight on this.

]]> By: Jan T. http://blog.wholefoodsmarket.com/2008/07/my-aquaculture-journey/#comment-6134 Jan T. Sat, 26 Jul 2008 18:37:13 +0000 http://blog.wholefoodsmarket.com/?p=367#comment-6134 Very impressive! I really enjoyed reading about your trips and learnings and look forward to more of our fish being raised in an environmentally friendly fashion. It has to start somewhere, and I am pleased to read about it. Very impressive! I really enjoyed reading about your trips and learnings and look forward to more of our fish being raised in an environmentally friendly fashion. It has to start somewhere, and I am pleased to read about it.

]]> By: Erick B http://blog.wholefoodsmarket.com/2008/07/my-aquaculture-journey/#comment-6002 Erick B Wed, 16 Jul 2008 18:08:19 +0000 http://blog.wholefoodsmarket.com/?p=367#comment-6002 Very cool to see Whole Foods leading the effort. I like my fish and I like to know that it's coming from the right place. Sounds like you're really focused on an integrated approach. Congratulations. Very cool to see Whole Foods leading the effort. I like my fish and I like to know that it’s coming from the right place. Sounds like you’re really focused on an integrated approach. Congratulations.

]]> By: Bill Ferris http://blog.wholefoodsmarket.com/2008/07/my-aquaculture-journey/#comment-6001 Bill Ferris Wed, 16 Jul 2008 15:54:57 +0000 http://blog.wholefoodsmarket.com/?p=367#comment-6001 Over the past weekend, while my wife and I were at dinner with friends, who also are Whole Foods Markets customers, the wife (friend) asked the question, "Why does WFM sell farmed fish, I thought it was not good for you?" I explained the length WFM has gone to establish a set of aquaculture standards unsurpassed in the industry; so that WFM can with confidence and certainity assure our guests of the highest quality, cleanest and most wholesome product available. I shared the information on the third party independent audit ability and what that means in terms of added confidence and credibility to her and her family as our guest. She expressed her surprise and appreciation that a company would go to "such lengths to back its philosophy and culture" of selling only the highest quality natural and organic product available". For this WFM TM it was a proud moment to be in a position to share that information first hand. Over the past weekend, while my wife and I were at dinner with friends, who also are Whole Foods Markets customers, the wife (friend) asked the question, “Why does WFM sell farmed fish, I thought it was not good for you?”

I explained the length WFM has gone to establish a set of aquaculture standards unsurpassed in the industry; so that WFM can with confidence and certainity assure our guests of the highest quality, cleanest and most wholesome product available. I shared the information on the third party independent audit ability and what that means in terms of added confidence and credibility to her and her family as our guest.

She expressed her surprise and appreciation that a company would go to “such lengths to back its philosophy and culture” of selling only the highest quality natural and organic product available”.

For this WFM TM it was a proud moment to be in a position to share that information first hand.

]]>