“Yes, but if you have a choice between farm-bred salmon and wild salmon, wild salmon is the better choice,” advises Jeffrey Novick, Director of Nutrition at the Pritikin Longevity Center.

And it’s important to understand that the verdict’s still out on farm-raised salmon. Even government agencies can’t agree on this issue. Some scientists at the Environmental Protection Agency say you should not eat farmed salmon more than once a month, but the Food and Drug Administration poses no such restrictions and argues that the cardiovascular benefits of salmon, rich in omega 3 fatty acids, almost certainly outweigh any cancer risks from suspected carcinogens in the fish.

“It’s also important to maintain a real-world perspective,” counsels Jeff Novick. “If you’re at a conference, for example, and you’re given three choices for dinner – broiled sirloin steak, broiled skinless chicken breast, or poached salmon (which is most likely farm raised) – the best choice would be the salmon. Compared to the other two choices, it has more heart-healthy omega 3s and possibly fewer omega 6s and less saturated fat.”

Let’s remember, too, that commercial beef and commercial chicken have been “farm-raised” in this country for over half a century. The problems you’re now hearing about in farm-raised salmon are the same problems that have existed in the chicken and beef industries for years; you just don’t hear much about them. [An excellent book on the subject is the bestseller Fast Food Nation by Eric Schlessinger.]

“So right now, given the real-world decisions that all of us must make, farmed salmon is the better choice over poultry and red meat, and wild salmon is the better choice over farmed salmon,” advises dietitian Jeff Novick.

“But the most important choice of all for long-lasting good health is making sure you include at least 12 servings of fresh, unrefined natural fruits, vegetables, whole grains, starchy vegetables, and beans in your diet every day. When all is said and done, that’s far more important than whether you choose chicken or farm-raised salmon.”