Defenders' Experts
FAQs about Tuna and Mercury
Any questions about tuna and mercury? We have the answers for you right here!
- Would you say that it is best not to eat tuna at all?
- Is all tuna harmful to everyone who eats it?
- What brands should people stay away from?
- What about the proven health benefits of eating tuna?
- Are tuna companies to be blamed?
- What can people do to protect themselves?
- What are the next steps for Defenders regarding this issue?
Would you say that it is best not to eat tuna at all?
No. There are well-known health benefits to eating light canned tuna. Consumers just need to be informed about the product they are buying and how much canned tuna they and their family should be eating in a given period of time.
Is all tuna harmful to everyone who eats it?
Our testing shows that mercury content in light canned tuna fluctuates from can to can, brand to brand and country to country, but our results also showed that the average mercury content of Latin American brand tuna was much higher than government agencies have deemed "safe." On the other hand, on average, most US and Asian brands of tuna in our study were generally low in mercury. Bottom line is that there is no way to be 100% sure of the mercury content of light canned tuna, so being informed and erring on the side of caution is the best way to reduce risk.
It is also very important to note that expectant mothers, women who are breast feeding, infants, small children and low-income communities are the populations that will be most affected by high concentrations of mercury in the tuna they eat. It is imperative that people who fall into any of these categories educate themselves about their light canned tuna purchases and consumption.
What brands should people stay away from?
Based on the results of our testing, consumers should avoid brands of light canned tuna that comes from Latin American countries, especially Ecuador and Mexico because of their astonishingly high average level of mercury.
Our testing showed that on average Asian brands of tuna had the lowest mercury concentrations, especially that which came from Thailand. And the American brands of tuna are also a better choice than Latin American brands, but remember that we also recommend that no matter what brand of tuna you buy or where it comes from, adults should limit their intake of any light canned tuna to no more than 6 ounces, or one can, a week and parents limit children's consumption to 3 ounces, one/half a can, or less a week.
What about the proven health benefits of eating tuna?
There are well-known health benefits to eating light canned tuna. Consumers need to be informed about the product they are buying and how much canned tuna they and their family should be eating in a given period of time. Also, don't forget that other organizations offer information on various fish and forms of seafood that offer the same benefits with less risk of mercury contamination.
Are tuna companies to be blamed?
No, the tuna industry is not to be blamed here; they are not the ones putting mercury in the fish they sell. The problem starts with world-wide environmental policies that allow polluters to release mercury into the air in the first place.
However, the tuna industry does have a responsibility to inform consumers that their product may contain a harmful substance. It's safe to say that to date, the industry has not been doing this and has instead been using its resources to naysay scientific studies that criticize their product.
What can people do to protect themselves?
The easiest way to protect your family is to be an informed consumer. Most importantly, read the label to see if the tuna was caught in a dolphin-safe manner and where the tuna comes from. Also, limiting your family's light tuna consumption as our report recommends will help protect them.
In the long term, people can contact their congressmen to ask them to encourage the government to conduct further tests that includes imported light canned tuna. New testing is critical to making sure that the FDA and EPA are providing consumers with the most up-to-date and accurate information. Get more consumer advice.
What are the next steps for Defenders regarding this issue?
We will continue to work to ensure that the "dolphin-safe" label standard remains strong, to ensure that fishing practices are not harmful to dolphins and other marine life. As this study shows, strengthening protection of dolphins should also lead to more healthful tuna for consumers. We will defer to our partners, the Center for Science in the Public Interest and the Mercury Policy Project, to pursue regulatory or legislative changes to protect human health and will, of course, be supportive of their efforts.
For Further Information
For more information about mercury in light canned tuna and other seafood or answers to more of your questions, please consult the following organizations:
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