April 12, 2010
David McCormick
NBC News
VP for Standards
VIA Email
Dear Mr. McCormick,
Thank you for responding to our letter and for Ms. Bauer’s explanation of the advice she gave regarding seafood consumption.
We maintain our concern about the inconsistencies between Ms. Bauer’s advice and authoritative guidance from the U.S. FDA, EPA, and IOM. Rather than clarify the official recommendations about fish for Melissa from Iowa and countless other viewers, Ms. Bauer devised unique opinions, self-described as “information overload.” Further complicating matters, she suggested two environmental activist websites as resources for further information about what to eat.
In our original letter we asked that you offer some perspective on Ms. Bauer’s stand-alone advice in order to provide your viewers with the best possible established information about seafood and nutrition. It is evident from your response that you have no intention of making any addendum to her reporting. In an attempt to bring viewers back to sanctioned seafood advice, we have produced this YouTube Video.
With respect to Ms. Bauer’s advice to limit farm-raised salmon, Dr. Paul Olin from the University of California, Davis – an independent seafood expert with no financial affiliation with NFI – is willing to brief Ms. Bauer on the latest science about this issue. Dr. Olin will be following up on this note.
Sincerely,
Gavin Gibbons
National Fisheries Institute
Cc: Ami Schmitz
Health & Medicine producer
Kerri Zimmer
Health & Medicine producer
Jim Bell
Executive Producer
Dr. Paul Olin
University of California, Davis
