Ellen Chat Conversation

While Ellen White did not explicitly forbid fish in all circumstances, her writings strongly advise against its consumption, particularly due to concerns about contamination and as part of her broader counsel against flesh foods. She stated: "In many places fish become so contaminated by the filth on which they feed as to be a cause of disease. This is especially the case where the fish come in contact with the sewage of large cities. The fish that are fed on the contents of the drains may pass into distant waters and may be caught where the water is pure and fresh. Thus when used as food they bring disease and death on those who do not suspect the danger" (MH 314.3). More generally, Ellen White taught that animal food was not part of God's original diet for humanity: "The diet appointed man in the beginning did not include animal food. Not till after the Flood, when every green thing on the earth had been destroyed, did man receive permission to eat flesh" (MH 311). She further explained that after the Flood, God permitted animal food to "shorten their sinful lives" (4aSG 121.2), and that "Since the flood the human race has been shortening the period of its existence. Physical, mental, and moral degeneracy is rapidly increasing in these last days" (Unpublished Testimonies, January 11, 1897, cited in HL 98.4). She emphasized that "Flesh foods are injurious to the physical well-being, and we should learn to do without them" (9T 156). She also noted that "It is a mistake to suppose that muscular strength depends on the use of animal food. The needs of the system can be better supplied, and more vigorous health can be enjoyed, without its use" (MH 316.2). Therefore, based on her principles, fish is generally not recommended as part of a healthful diet, primarily due to the risk of disease from contamination and the overall counsel against consuming flesh foods.

Ellen White did not specifically mention metals in fish in her writings. Her concerns about fish contamination focused on sewage and filth rather than heavy metals or other chemical pollutants. Her primary warning was about biological contamination from sewage systems. She wrote: "In many places fish become so contaminated by the filth on which they feed as to be a cause of disease. This is especially the case where the fish come in contact with the sewage of large cities. The fish that are fed on the contents of the drains may pass into distant waters and may be caught where the water is pure and fresh. Thus when used as food they bring disease and death on those who do not suspect the danger" (MH 314.3). It's worth noting that Ellen White did personally consume fish at times. In a letter from 1894, she stated: "Two years ago I came to the conclusion that there was danger in using the flesh of dead animals, and since then I have not used meat at all. It is never placed on my table. I use fish when I can get it. We can get beautiful fish from the saltwater lake near here" (14MR 330.2). This shows she distinguished between fish and other flesh foods, though she was aware of contamination concerns. Her broader counsel emphasized moving away from all flesh foods as part of health reform, but she recognized this was a progressive journey. The specific issue of heavy metals like mercury in fish was not something she addressed in her writings, as this became a more widely understood health concern in later decades. --- 💡 **You might also want to explore:** • What was Ellen White's overall counsel about transitioning away from flesh foods? • Did Ellen White give any exceptions or circumstances where flesh foods might be acceptable? • What did she recommend as healthy alternatives to animal products in the diet? --- 📚 **thousands of passages found** containing these search terms — [Explore in Full-Text Search](/advanced-search?q=What+about+the+metals+in+fish.+Did+she+talk+about+it%3F)