Arctic Char

Arctic char, when fully cooked, may be introduced as soon as baby is ready to start solids, which is generally around 6 months of age. Compared with other fish, arctic char tends to be low in mercury.

Arctic char live in fresh and saltwater areas in cool regions of the world. For centuries, they have been a staple food of the Indigenous peoples of North America and Asia, where the fish is called qalukpik, golets, and iqaluk, among other names. Arctic char tastes mild and oily like salmon and trout, which are part of the same family of fish.

Yes. Arctic char contains many of the nutrients babies need to thrive, including protein, vitamins A, B6, B12, D, and zinc. It is also a source of omega-3 fatty acids, including DHA, which is critical for visual and cognitive development. Arctic char tends to be low in mercury, a heavy metal that is present in most fish and shellfish to varying degrees and, when consumed in excess, can negatively impact a child’s neurodevelopment. That said, babies who are allowed to self-feed generally do not eat excessive amounts of any one food as they build the skills to eat solids. To minimize baby’s exposure to mercury from fish, serve fish as part of a balanced diet and, when possible, choose fish that are low in mercury, like arctic char, salmon, sardines, or North Atlantic mackerel.

Yes. Finned fish are classified as a common allergen by the World Health Organization, and arctic char is closely related to salmon, which is among the most common finned fish allergens, along with cod, halibut, and tuna. It’s estimated that only 0.2% of people are allergic to finned fish worldwide, and the prevalence of fish allergies in children, while variable, is even less than in adults. About 40% of people with finned fish allergies don’t experience their first allergic reaction until adulthood. Unfortunately, most individuals who are allergic to finned fish do not outgrow the allergy.

Some individuals with finned fish allergy may react from inhaling proteins that become airborne when cooking fish. If this is the case for baby, you may wish to avoid cooking fish in the household when baby is present.

Around 50% of individuals with one finned fish allergy will react to another fish as well. This is because the major allergen in finned fish, beta-parvalbumin, is present in most fish, regardless of species. Due to the risks of cross-contamination or mislabeling, allergists often recommend that those allergic to one species of finned fish avoid all finned fish until meeting with an allergist to determine which fish might be safely introduced into the diet. This is an individualized recommendation, so be sure to confirm with your allergist before offering other finned fish if baby is allergic to arctic char.

Finned fish are a known trigger of food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome, also known as FPIES. FPIES is a delayed allergy to food protein which causes the sudden onset of repetitive vomiting and diarrhea to begin a few hours after ingestion. Left untreated, the reaction can result in significant dehydration. Unlike other food allergens, FPIES to finned fish may not present until later in life, and tends to be life-long.

Lastly, a note on scombroid poisoning, which is sometimes mistaken for a fish allergy. Scombroid poisoning is a type of food poisoning that occurs when someone eats fish that has been improperly refrigerated. This allows a large amount of histamine to build up in the fish. When consumed, this large load of histamine can cause symptoms that mimic those of an allergic reaction, causing some people to believe that they have developed a finned fish allergy, even if they are not allergic. Ensuring that fish has been stored at adequately cool temperatures can minimize the risk of such a reaction.

If you suspect baby may be allergic to fish, consult an allergist before introducing arctic char. As with all common allergens, introduce arctic char in small amounts at first and watch closely as baby eats to see if any adverse reaction occurs. If all goes well, gradually increase the serving size over time. Once common food allergens are successfully introduced, it is recommended to keep them in the diet regularly (twice weekly, if possible). However, this doesn’t mean that each different fish species must be offered multiple times a week. Finned fish share the same major proteins, so it is perfectly acceptable to rotate finned fish varieties according to availability and preference.

No. Cooked arctic char, with bones and skin removed, presents a low risk when safely prepared for a child’s age and developmental ability, though, in theory, an individual could choke on any food. Note that fish bones do pose a risk of getting stuck in the mouth, throat, or esophagus. To reduce this risk, take care to remove the bones from cooked fish, and prepare and serve arctic char in an age-appropriate way as described in the How to Serve section. As always, make sure you create a safe eating environment and stay within an arm’s reach of baby during meals. 

Learn the signs of choking and gagging and more about choking first aid in our free guides, Infant Rescue and Toddler Rescue.

If the smoked arctic char is fully cooked, you can offer a taste here and there as soon as baby is ready for solids. Smoked fish products that are not fully cooked (such as cold-smoked arctic char) pose an increased risk of foodborne illness for babies, whose immune systems are still developing. For these, there is no definitively safe age to introduce; rather, it is a personal decision for which you must calculate risk. Lastly, all types of smoked fish contain high sodium levels, so consider serving in moderation, since baby does not need much sodium at this age.

No, neither is better than the other, although one may better fit your family’s needs. Both types of arctic char are nutritious and offer benefits to baby.