Great Lakes Wire

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has published the 2025 Eat Safe Fish Guides. These guides are designed to assist Michigan residents in making informed decisions about which locally caught fish are safe for consumption.

The guidelines offer recommendations based on chemical levels found in fish filets, with data sourced from the MDHHS Bureau of Laboratories. Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive, stated, "There are many health benefits to eating fish and the Eat Safe Fish Guides provide consumption recommendations based on the levels of certain chemicals found in fish in waterbodies across the state. Michigan families can use these guidelines to help make healthy choices about the fish they eat."

These guides serve as a resource rather than legal requirements, offering information on safe fish consumption from various water bodies throughout Michigan.

Recent findings regarding perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) have prompted updates to this year's guides. PFOS is now considered more harmful than previously understood, leading to additional guidelines for specific species and entire water bodies. The number of "Do Not Eat" advisories has increased as a result.

In addition to the Eat Safe Fish Guides, MDHHS also offers the Buy Safe Fish Guide. This guide helps consumers select seafood with lower mercury content from local retailers. Both resources can be accessed online at Michigan.gov/EatSafeFish.

For further details on purchasing, consuming, or preparing safe fish or obtaining a regional guide for 2025, individuals can visit the website or contact the MDHHS Division of Environmental Health at 800-648-6942.

Information on PFOS guideline changes is available through the PFOS Reference Dose Health Consultation.