Mercury in tuna: Is canned tuna safe? (2024)

FAQs

Mercury in tuna: Is canned tuna safe? ›

Canned white, or albacore (0.32 parts per million of mercury). Children under six can eat up to one 3-ounce portion a month; children from 6-12, two 4.5-ounce portions a month. Adults, including pregnant women, can safely eat this kind of tuna up to three times a month (women, 6-ounce portions; men, 8-ounce portions).

Canned light tuna is low in mercury and is considered one of the best choices for individuals that need to limit their exposure to mercury. People who are pregnant or breastfeeding can consume 2–3 servings of canned light tuna per week and children can consume 2 servings per week.

Canned light tuna is in the “Best Choices” category and it is fine to eat 2 to 3 servings per week. We recommend that you eat a variety of fish. You may wish to try other affordable fish in the “Best Choices” category such as canned salmon or sardines, frozen fish, or fresh fish that are at a reduced price. 3.

Safe Catch Elite Tuna, simply the lowest mercury tuna of any brand.

If you're concerned about limiting the amount of mercury you consume, and if you've eaten no other fish during the week, Consumer Reports says up to 12 ounces a week of Bumble Bee Chunk Light, Chicken of the Sea Chunk Light, Safe Catch Wild Elite, and StarKist Chunk Light tunas are the safer choices among the products ...

The most healthful choices on this list that are available canned include anchovies, Atlantic mackerel, clams, crab, oysters, sardines, shrimp, and trout. Canned seafood brands offer varying levels of testing to ensure lower mercury levels.

A good rule of thumb for canned seafood, such as canned salmon or canned tuna, is that it can be safely kept in a cool dark pantry for 5 years. But really, as long as the seal remains unbroken, a tin can last nearly indefinitely.

Tuna salad calories and fat are higher, and oil-packed tuna contains more fat than water-packed, but a 1 oz serving of chunk light tuna in oil contains only 2.3 grams of total fat, while the same serving of chunk light tuna in water contains less than a gram.

Mackerel is a guilt-free substitute for tuna. This mild-tasting, meaty fish is lower in mercury and sustainably sourced. Mackerel's texture and delicate flavor make it as versatile as tuna.

We follow a robust testing policy in all of our plants and can assure you that StarKist Tuna is safe to eat and falls well below FDA's stringent requirements. In general, Americans don't eat enough seafood. Most of us eat 1 serving or less a week, and women who are pregnant eat even less.

How to get mercury out of your body? ›

Five of the most commonly eaten fish that are low in mercury are shrimp, canned light tuna, salmon, pollock, and catfish. Another commonly eaten fish, albacore ("white") tuna has more mercury than canned light tuna.

Tuna is known to contain higher levels of mercury than many other types of fish. According to the FDA, StarKist tuna is safe to eat in moderation. The FDA recommends that people limit their consumption of canned tuna to no more than two to three servings per week. This is to reduce their exposure to mercury.

When you eat fish containing mercury, you can also take in the mercury. The metal builds up in your bloodstream over time. It slowly leaves the body through urine, stool, and breast milk. For most people, eating a small amount of fish high in mercury isn't a health concern.

Mercury Tested

We hand select and test every, single, tuna, to a mercury limit (10x) lower than the FDA action limit. No other brand in the world does this. That is why Safe Catch Elite and Ahi, Wild Yellowfin are the official tuna of the American Pregnancy Association.