Tuna, especially white albacore, is relatively high in mercury. There are a lot of misunderstandings and misinformation about mercury in tuna. White albacore tuna is a "good choice," but only recommended for consumption once a week, due to its higher mercury levels, which can be up to three times the amount of yellowfin tuna mercury, or that found in other fish, according to the University of California, San Diego. Not all Solid White Albacore tuna is created equal. Continued Frequently Asked Questions about Mercury in Fish and Shellfish: 1. The meaty tuna sits at the top of its food chain, and that means it can contain a lot of accumulated mercury. Because of how much tuna is consumed in … The largest tuna are bluefin tuna, who can reach 15 feet in length and weigh more than 1,500 pounds. Mercury can damage the brain and nervous system, especially when exposure occurs in the womb. In the last few years there has been a lot of talk about the levels of mercury in canned tuna and its impact on human health. 2. There’s a lot more in that can than just tuna. Tuna are higher in mercury than salmon for multiple reasons. Yes, to a varying degree. And, no, it’s not about the problem of mercury in the fish. Mercury in Canned Tuna and Human Health. Canned albacore tuna purchased by U.S. schools contains more mercury than what government officials have reported, raising the risks for some tuna-loving kids, according to a … Tremendous Tuna. What is mercury and methylmercury? Not canned tuna! That’s why we recommend that pregnant women not eat tuna and any other high-mercury … Let’s talk about one contributor to our woes: Canned tuna. Still, there are many health benefits of this fish, so it’s best not to cut it out of your diet completely. One is that tuna are an apex predator that consume a lot of smaller fish, each of which themselves contain trace levels of mercury. It is widely debated because of its toxicity in large doses, though it is not dangerous in tuna. 2. While tuna can pick up mercury from polluted waters, it has a natural defense, a balancer. Making Healthy Eating Choices (Mercury and Omega 3's): Not all Albacore Tuna are the Same. Canned tuna, Americans’ favorite fish, is the most common source of mercury in our diet. There are a lot of misunderstandings and misinformation about mercury in tuna. There are many companies that use pole or troll hand line techniques that are considered responsible and sustainable. Dec. 7, 2010 -- Mercury levels in tuna remain too high, according to a new investigation by Consumer Reports. That means current federal Dietary Guidelines for Americans may be advising consumers to eat more than they should — particularly pregnant women and children. The media has played a significant role in raising awareness of this issue, but at the same time has not necessarily explained all sides of the issue. Mercury is a natural occurring chemical element present in tuna. The form of mercury in tuna is called methylmercury. There are two schools of thought when it comes to canned tuna – some hail it as their go-to protein source for snacks and lunches on the run, others are put off by talk of high levels of mercury or rumours that the protein in tuna is less "bio-available" than other forms of protein. Canned tuna has lower mercury levels than tuna steaks and sushi, and two canned tuna meals a week is a safe threshold, the FDA says. Mercury is a natural occurring chemical element present in tuna. Oh, indeed. The form of mercury in tuna is called methylmercury. To avoid over-exposure to this potentially hazardous metal, adults should limit their consumption of white or albacore tuna to no more than one serving a week. For the past few years there has been a heavy emphasis by the media and anti-fishing groups on the subject of mercury … All fish have some mercury, partially from natural causes, partially from pollution. These techniques catch smaller fish which are much lower in mercury then the standard albacore tuna on the market. Mercury content in tuna can vary widely. The agency is … Consumer Reports is sounding the alarm about mercury in tuna, following a new study showing levels of the toxic heavy metal in tuna have increased dramatically over the last 15 years. Even if he had eaten only half a can of albacore tuna a week, he still would have consumed 60 percent more mercury than is considered “safe” by the U.S. government. No! Tuna fish is cheap, healthy, and dare I say, delicious, but tuna consumption in the United States has dropped dramatically in the past few decades due to fears of mercury poisoning. Chunk light tuna, which is lower in mercury… It is widely debated because of its toxicity in large doses, though it is not dangerous in tuna. Among those calling for improved warnings about mercury in tuna is the American Medical Association, which adopted a policy that physicians should help make their patients more aware of the potential risks.