EPA Day

What Is EPA Day?

The 30th of every month is "EPA Day" in Japan. It was established by Nissui Corporation, which operates fisheries and food businesses. EPA stands for eicosapentaenoic acid, a fatty acid found in abundance in fish.

Meat on the 29th, Fish on the 30th

The date was chosen in relation to the day before: the 29th is "Meat Day." The wish behind it is that people whose diets lean heavily on meat eat fish the day after.

• Established by: Nissui Corporation
• What EPA is: short for eicosapentaenoic acid, found in abundance in fish
• Origin of the date: the idea of eating fish on the 30th, the day after meat on the 29th
• Purpose: to encourage a balanced diet through the year by taking in EPA

Found Especially in Oily Fish

EPA is known as a fatty acid abundant in oily fish such as sardines, mackerel and saury. Canned versions make it easy to get, which is why they are a common way to put fish on the table without much cooking. Nissui, which created the day, is a fisheries company, and set it up from an interest in widening fish consumption.

Tips for Marking This Day

• Swap tonight's main dish from meat to fish
• Try a quick dish using canned mackerel or sardines
• Stock up on canned fish before the New Year
• Look back at the past week and count your meat-to-fish ratio

One Fish Day for the Year-End Table

Late December tends to bring meat dish after meat dish. Pairing EPA Day with the Meat Day before it is a clear, easy device for bringing that balance back.