There's no single number for mercury poisoning from tuna, as it depends on tuna type, can size, and individual weight, but for adults, canned light tuna is generally safe in moderation (2-3 cans/week), while albacore (white) tuna should be limited to about 1 can/week due to higher mercury. Eating 4-7 cans daily is risky, but some studies suggest healthy adults might handle 25 small cans a week before exceeding limits, though pregnant individuals should eat far less.
The concerns around daily intake stem from its mercury content. However, according to the NHS, which states a healthy, balanced diet should include at least two portions of fish a week, there's nothing there to say you can't eat tuna every day, unless you're trying for a baby, or pregnant.
Like most foods, it's okay to eat tuna in moderation. “According to the FDA, the average adult can safely eat about six to nine ounces of tuna per week,” says Dr. O'Neill. “That typically works out to one to two cans, depending on the size.”
Because of our innovative testing method and strict mercury limits, Safe Catch Elite and Ahi are the only tuna brands to meet Consumer Reports' Low-Mercury Criteria for sensitive populations like pregnant moms and kids and has gained the respect and is the official tuna of the American Pregnancy Association.
How much tuna is safe to eat and should we be concerned about eating other types of fish? French marine conservation group Bloom made headlines late last year with a report that found 100% of the 148 cans of tuna sampled from France, Germany, England, Spain and Italy were 'contaminated with mercury'.
Initial signs and symptoms, such as fever, chills, shortness of breath, metallic taste, and pleuritic chest pain, may be confused with metal-fume fever, which is caused by cadmium exposure. Other possible symptoms include stomatitis, lethargy, confusion, and vomiting.
To limit mercury intake from tuna, here are the guidelines: Best choice: Eat 2 to 3 servings per week of canned light skipjack tuna. Good choice: Eat 1 serving per week of yellowfin tuna or white albacore tuna. Choice to avoid: Don't eat bigeye tuna.
You would have to eat around 25 tins (at 95g a tin) of it a week before you hit the maximum tolerable intake of mercury. For pregnant people (or people trying to get pregnant), the limit would be around 12 tins (at 95g a tin) a week. It is unlikely many consumers will reach these limits.
If you're counting calories and maximizing omega-3 fatty acids, then tuna in water might make a great choice. On the other hand, if moisture, flavor, and vitamin D levels are your focus, then olive oil-packed tuna might be better. Whatever tuna you choose, it's important not to go overboard for this mild-flavored fish.
Larger, older fish tend to have more mercury than younger fish. Fish that eat other fish have the most mercury. o In the ocean, these include sharks and swordfish. o In lakes and rivers, bass generally have the highest levels of mercury.
However, overconsumption of fish with high levels of organic mercury, such as tuna, can cause methylmercury poisoning and a variety of abnormal central nervous system-related symptoms such as paresthesia, ataxia, hearing impairment, and progressive constriction of the visual fields12-15).
Researchers from Chalmers University of Technology have come up with a novel approach to packaging canned tuna infused in the water-based solution of amino acid cysteine. It was shown to remove up to 35 percent of the accumulated mercury in canned tuna, significantly reducing human exposure to mercury via food.
Canned tuna is the only seafood in some people's diets. So that's why mercury contamination is such a concern in this particular fish. Mercury is a known neurotoxin. Too much of it is harmful to children, whose bodies and brains are still growing.
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Draining tuna allows for better texture and flavor
Draining the tuna isn't just about preventing sogginess, it also gives you more control over the final taste and consistency of your salad.
There are two main kinds of canned tuna: chunk light and solid or chunk white (albacore). Mercury levels in canned white tuna, which is exclusively albacore, are almost three times higher than those found in smaller skipjack tuna commonly used in canned light tuna products.
The most common symptoms are rash, diarrhea, reddening or flushing of the face and sometimes the neck, arms, and upper part of the body, sweating, headache, and vomiting. Burning sensation or swelling of the mouth, difficulty swallowing, stomach pain, and heart palpitations may also occur.
Tuna is one of the most popular seafoods worldwide. But this protein-rich fish can build up high levels of methylmercury from feeding on contaminated prey, like smaller fish or crustaceans.
Buy skipjack and yellowfin tunas labeled pole-caught, pole-and-line, troll-caught, or FAD-free from the Atlantic or Pacific. Avoid all bluefin tuna, except if you confirm it's Pacific bluefin tuna from a yellow-rated source (scroll down for more information). Avoid tuna caught in the Indian Ocean.
No albacore tuna products tested by our lab would be considered “safe” for pregnant women and children. All 10 albacore products were above 46 ppb of mercury. 22% of skipjack tuna products tested by our lab would be considered “safe” for pregnant women and children.
The Best Canned Tuna, According to Chefs
The winner of the best canned tuna trophy goes to Sea Tales Albacore. Both Suzy Karadsheh and Peter Som stand behind Sea Tales Albacore because it has "nice chunks of tuna with a great tuna flavor that's not fishy in any way," Som says.
Other mercury removal options include home remedies such as eating a nutrient- and vitamin-rich diet, increasing fibre intake, and drinking more water to flush out mercury from the body.