Fishmongers have criticised scientists who claim Scottish farmed salmon is toxic, labelling them "scaremongering boffins".
Toxicologists at the University of Albany sparked the furore by claiming their study - which included fish bought in Britain's south east - were so contaminated with pollutants it should be eaten no more than three times a year.
However, fishmongers in south Essex have supported the Food Standard Association's statement that the health benefits outweigh the health risk.
David Rawlings, of Estuary Fish Merchants, in Lymington Avenue, Leigh, said: "There's nothing better for you than fresh fish - there are plenty of foods which are bad for you but you never hear these health warnings."
Published Friday January 9, 2004
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