A report warned that levels of toxic mercury in canned tuna are “unpredictable” and urged pregnant women to avoid eating it.
And the American organization “Consumer Reports” conducted an investigation, during which it tested 30 cans of tuna from 5 famous brands, and found that each one contained mercury.
She noted that “there were wide fluctuations in levels between cans, even among those of one brand,” and that “3 cans contained so much mercury that the researchers said it should not be ingested at all.”
“From canister to canister, mercury levels can rise in unexpected ways that could put the health of the fetus at risk,” said James Rogers, director of food safety research.
The levels of mercury found by the organization were “within the standards of the Food and Drug Administration,” which says pregnant women can eat canned tuna in limited quantities.
Mercury is especially dangerous for developing fetuses, because the heavy metal can interfere with their tiny brains and bodies, putting them at risk for learning problems, hearing and vision loss.
It is also dangerous for adults, and can damage their nervous systems, intestines, and kidneys, which can lead to insomnia, memory loss, and muscle weakness, among other things.
Mercury is found naturally in the oceans, which means there will always be some in seafood like tuna, but levels have tripled in parts of the ocean since the Industrial Revolution.
Experts say that rain transports mercury from the atmosphere into the ocean, where it is then absorbed by living organisms.
Because these organisms are consumed by other organisms, they accumulate to concentrations higher in the food chain. And because tuna is a predatory fish, this means that it has much higher concentrations in its bodies.
In this regard, Nicholas Fisher, a marine expert at New York University, said, “The levels of mercury in canned tuna differ depending on the ocean from which the tuna came,” according to the British Daily Mail.
He explained: “In China and India they burn a lot of coal to generate electricity, and when you burn coal you release a lot of mercury into the air, which eventually falls with rain … so mercury levels have increased somewhat in the Pacific.”
“While in the Atlantic, we’ve shown that levels have come down a little bit, primarily due to efforts in North America.”
In turn, the National Fisheries Institute (NFI), which represents canned tuna manufacturers, said that “mercury levels found in the products were well below the limit set by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA),” in response to the report.
Canned tuna manufacturer Bumblebee said: “The health benefits of consuming seafood far outweigh any potential risks, including concerns about mercury.”“.
Wild Planet, whose skipjack tuna contains the highest level of mercury, said the company had to choose between serving tuna with the lowest level of mercury possible, or serving tuna with the best sustainable practices.