Providing information to protect our guests from mercury
Bon Appétit Management Company was the first food service provider to ring the alarm bell about the dangers of mercury in seafood.
While medical experts agree that seafood is a healthful dietary choice, certain fish species may contain toxic levels of mercury. Many of our guests on both college and corporate campuses are women of childbearing age and therefore fall into the highest-risk category for mercury poisoning. Since mercury can accumulate and remain in the blood stream for over one year, even women not currently pregnant need to be careful. Unfortunately, as mercury is a known neuro-toxin, men need to watch their mercury intake as well. Due to a lack of regulation and public information, people may be unknowingly putting themselves in danger.
In 2006, we teamed with GotMercury.org to provide the necessary information for people to make educated choices about their seafood consumption. Signage in our cafés directs fish eaters to the GotMercury.org calculator, which they can use to gauge their personal mercury exposure and intake risk.
The health and safety of our guests is our first priority. At Bon Appétit, we believe it is our responsibility to provide people dining in our cafés with meals that are not only fresh and delicious but safe and healthful as well.
