Here are some common tuna species and their mercury concentrations (1):
| Species | Mercury in ppm | Mercury (in mcg) per 3 ounces (85 grams) |
| Light tuna (canned) | 0.126 | 10.71 |
| Skipjack tuna (fresh or frozen) | 0.144 | 12.24 |
| Albacore tuna (canned) | 0.350 | 29.75 |
| Yellowfin tuna (fresh or frozen) | 0.354 | 30.09 |
| Species | Mercury in ppm | Mercury (in mcg) per 3 ounces (85 grams) |
|---|---|---|
| Light tuna (canned) | 0.126 | 10.71 |
| Skipjack tuna (fresh or frozen) | 0.144 | 12.24 |
| Albacore tuna (canned) | 0.350 | 29.75 |
| Yellowfin tuna (fresh or frozen) | 0.354 | 30.09 |
Which brand of tuna has the most mercury?
Yellowfin: Also referred to as ahi tuna, yellowfin tuna is higher in mercury than albacore or skipjack. It’s also high in omega-3 fatty acids. Skipjack: “Skipjack is the species most commonly used in canned tuna,” Rissetto said. “It is mainly sold as ‘canned light’ or ‘chunk light’ tuna, and it is also available fresh and frozen.
Why would tuna have more mercury than other fish?
The following people should eat no more than 2 portions of oily fish a week:
- girls
- women who are planning a pregnancy or may have a child one day
- pregnant and breastfeeding women
Why does tuna have a large amount of mercury?
Updated 2 years ago. Tuna are higher in mercury than salmon for multiple reasons. 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’s estimated that each step up the food chain increases mercury bioaccumulation by a factor of ten.
Why does tuna contain more Mercury compared to salmon?
When larger fish eat smaller fish that are contaminated with varying amounts of mercury, the element accumulates in their flesh. Generally, this means that larger fish like tuna contain more mercury than smaller fish like salmon ( 14 ).
Which canned tuna is lowest in mercury?
When buying tuna, opt for skipjack or canned light varieties, which do not harbor as much mercury as albacore or bigeye. You can consume skipjack and canned light tuna alongside other low-mercury species, such as cod, crab, salmon and scallops, as part of the recommended 2–3 servings of fish per week ( 10 ).
What brand of tuna is mercury free?
Because of its lower mercury levels (no more than 0.1 parts per million in a can), Safe Catch's skipjack tuna (often referred to as "chunk light") will be the only product on the market, once available, to meet Consumer Reports' criteria for "low mercury," a standard pure enough for pregnant women and small children.
Which canned tuna has the most mercury?
albacoreAll canned white tuna is albacore. Its mercury levels are almost three times higher than the smaller skipjack tuna, used in most canned light tuna products.
What brand of tuna is safest?
The healthiest canned tuna you can buyWild Planet Albacore Wild Tuna. ... American Tuna. ... Safe Catch Elite Pure Wild Tuna. ... Ocean Naturals Skipjack Chunk Light Tuna in Water. ... 365 Everyday Value Albacore Wild Tuna In Water. ... Tonnino Tuna Fillets in Spring Water.
Is StarKist tuna low in mercury?
All StarKist Tuna is well below FDA's 1ppm. 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.
Is Bumble Bee tuna mercury free?
Canned tuna meets all health and safety standards set by the FDA, which has established the maximum safe level of methyl mercury allowed in commercial seafood at 1.0 parts per million.
Which brand of tuna is best?
Best Overall: Ortiz Bonito del Norte. ... Best Budget: Wild Planet Skipjack Wild Tuna. ... Best No Draining: American Tuna No Salt Added Wild Albacore Tuna. ... Best Pouched: Sea Fare Pacific Wild Albacore Tuna. ... Best Oil-Packed in Jars: Tonnino Tuna Ventresca in Olive Oil. ... Best Locally Sourced: CS Fishery Line-Caught Albacore.More items...•
Is chunk light tuna lower in mercury?
Chunk light tuna: “This is typically from yellowfin tuna or skipjack, meaning it's lower in calories and fat and therefore lower in omegas and lower in mercury,” Rissetto said.
Where does Kirkland brand tuna come from?
Bumble Bee tuna Costco's Kirkland Signature canned tuna is made by seafood company Bumble Bee Foods.
Is Bumble Bee Tuna real tuna?
Bumble Bee gets its skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) from purse seiners, which enclose all the fish in an area in a large net that's drawn tight at the top and bottom.
Is StarKist Tuna owned by China?
StarKist Tuna is a brand of tuna produced by StarKist Co., an American company formerly based in Pittsburgh's North Shore that is now wholly owned by Dongwon Industries of South Korea.
Is StarKist Tuna healthy?
Best Overall Tuna: StarKist Albacore White Tuna in Water StarKist albacore was juicy and bright with just the right level of salt. Packed in water, this brand is super healthy—it has 17 grams of protein, 60% of your vitamin 12 for the day and is just 80 calories per package.
Is mercury a toxic substance?
I'm sure there is variation between brands but the issue is mute since there is no way to know how much mercury there is in what you are eating. Since mercury is such a toxic substance to nerves, heart and immune system it is wise to avoid intake of all fish products.
Is tuna high in mercury?
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov... Tuna fish are especially high in selenium, which binds with mercury to form a harm less selenium-mercury compound which is easily excreted by the body: http://www.undeerc.org/fish...
Is mercury in canned tuna safe for children?
In total, they found that “55% of all tuna examined was above the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s safety level for human consumption.”. Mercury is not just a problem for children.
Why is tuna considered a trusted source?
Trusted Source. ). This is because tuna feed on smaller fish which are already contaminated with varying amounts of mercury. Since mercury is not easily excreted, it builds up in the tissues of tuna over time ( 2. Trusted Source. , 3. Trusted Source. ).
How much mercury is safe to consume daily?
Reference Doses and Safe Levels. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that 0.045 mcg of mercury per pound (0.1 mcg per kg) of body weight per day is the maximum safe dose of mercury. This amount is known as a reference dose ( 4 ). Your daily reference dose for mercury depends on your body weight.
Can you eat tuna in moderation?
Therefore, most adults should eat tuna in moderation and consider choosing other fish that is relatively low in mercury. When buying tuna, opt for skipjack or canned light varieties, which do not harbor as much mercury as albacore or bigeye. ). Try to avoid eating albacore or yellowfin tuna more than once per week.
Does eating tuna increase mercury levels?
However, research indicates that regularly eating fish with a mercury concentration greater than 0.3 ppm may increase blood levels of mercury and spur health issues. Most species of tuna exceed this amount ( 1. Trusted Source.
Is tuna a health concern?
Mercury in tuna is a health concern because of the risks associated with mercury exposure. Just as mercury builds up in fish tissues over time, it can also accumulate in your body. To assess how much mercury is in your body, a doctor can test mercury concentrations in your hair and blood. ).
Is tuna good for you?
Tuna is incredibly nutritious and packed with protein, healthy fats and vitamins — but it should not be consumed every day. ). However, research indicates that regularly eating fish with a mercury concentration greater than 0.3 ppm may increase blood levels of mercury and spur health issues.
Is tuna a dangerous fish?
Dangers. Frequency. Risk Groups. Bottom Line. Tuna is a saltwater fish eaten all over the world. It’s incredibly nutritious and a great source of protein, omega-3 fatty acids and B vitamins. However, it can contain high levels of mercury, a toxic heavy metal.
How much tuna is in a 5 oz can?
Expect a 5-ounce can to contain about 4 ounces of tuna plus liquid. The heavy metal accumulates in tuna and other fish in an especially toxic form, methylmercury, which comes from mercury released by coal-fired power plants and other industrial or natural sources, such as volcanoes.
How much tuna should a child eat?
The Food and Drug Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency say that women of childbearing age and young children may eat up to 12 ounces a week of light tuna or other “low in mercury” seafood, including, within that limit, up to 6 ounces per week of white tuna.
What is the USP seal for supplements?
If you decide to take a supplement, choose one labeled with a “USP Verified” seal. Products bearing that label meet standards for purity and potency set by the U.S. Pharmacopeia, a nongovernmental authority, and have what the USP considers acceptable limits of contaminants, including PCBs.
Does mercury affect the immune system?
Other evidence suggests that frequent consumption of high-mercury fish might affect adults’ neurologic, cardiovascular, and immune systems. Additional contaminants—PCBs and dioxins—found in some fish have been linked to cancer and reproductive problems. Mercury and PCBs can accumulate in people over time.
Does salmon have mercury?
A: Absolutely. Some popular seafood, including salmon and shrimp, contains relatively little mercury. Alaskan salmon, often sold in cans, tends to be lower in PCBs and possibly other contaminants. See Lower-mercury choices for specifics.
Is tuna a source of mercury?
Canned tuna, Americans’ favorite fish, is the most common source of mercury in our diet. New tests of 42 samples from cans and pouches of tuna bought primarily in the New York metropolitan area and online confirm that white (albacore) tuna usually contains far more mercury than light tuna. Children and women of childbearing age can easily consume ...