Food guide
Tilefish
Tilefish is on the official 'choices to avoid' list for children. It sits at the top of the food chain and carries some of the highest mercury levels of any fish. Mercury builds up in the body over time and can affect the development of a child's brain and nervous system, so both UK and US guidance say to keep it away from children entirely. Gulf of Mexico tilefish is the highest-mercury fish tested; Atlantic tilefish is lower but still not one for young children.
How to serve at this age
0-16 years: Not recommended at any age in childhood. Choose a low-mercury fish instead - salmon, sardines, trout, cod, haddock, pollock or canned light (skipjack) tuna all give your baby the same omega-3s and protein without the mercury load.
Nutrition
Tilefish is a good source of protein and B vitamins, but every one of those nutrients is available from lower-mercury fish, so there is no nutritional reason to serve it to a child.
A note from the editors
Check the label on fish pie mixes, fish fingers and restaurant 'fish of the day' - tilefish is occasionally used and is not always named on a menu.
Good to know
Avoid tilefish for children. Fish is also a common allergen, so when you do introduce fish, use a low-mercury variety, offer it on its own and watch for a reaction. Aim for about two servings of low-mercury fish a week - roughly 1 oz (30 g) per serving at ages 1-3.