CR tested canned tuna from Bumble Bee, Chicken of the Sea, StarKist, and other popular brands. Heres our advice for pregnant people, and everyone else.
Cans of tuna are cheap, easy to find, and full of protein and omega-3 fatty acids that your body needs. They are a standard item in kitchens, delis, and school lunchboxes all over the country. A national survey (PDF) of 2,185 U.S. adults conducted by Consumer Reports in November 2022 found that about a third of Americans eat it twice a month or more. S. adults, and about 10 percent eat it at least once a week.
But mercury is found in a lot of fish, including tuna. Mercury can be harmful to adults, but it’s especially dangerous for kids, babies, and especially pregnant women.
CR checked five well-known brands of canned tuna for mercury because so many people eat it and because it might be harmful. These brands are Bumble Bee, Chicken of the Sea, StarKist, Safe Catch, and Wild Planet. We found a wide range in mercury levels between types of tuna as well as among different brands. Light and skipjack varieties, for instance, contain much less mercury on average than albacore tuna. (Note that the tuna in pouches is the same as the tuna in cans, but we didn’t test pouches.) ).
But CR’s food safety experts warn that pregnant women might be better off staying away from tuna altogether, based on our latest tests, our past work, and research from other groups. The reason for this is that while canned tuna, especially light types, usually has pretty low mercury levels, some cans can have much higher levels. As James E. says, “from can to can, mercury levels can rise in unpredictable ways that could put a fetus’ health at risk.” Rogers, PhD, director of Food Safety Research and Testing at CR.
We were able to find a number of options for adults and kids who eat canned tuna, even those who do so often. That’s important because most people don’t eat enough fish, which is good for your heart and brain.
Tuna is a popular canned fish consumed around the world. However, concerns have been raised over tuna sourced from certain countries, including Senegal. With conflicting information circulating, it’s understandable that consumers may be worried and wonder – is tuna from Senegal actually safe to eat?
In this article, we’ll explore the facts around Senegalese tuna fishing and processing practices We’ll look at any health risks and how to find responsibly sourced tuna By the end, you’ll have the information to determine if tuna from Senegal should give you pause.
Overview of Tuna Fishing in Senegal
Senegal is situated on the far western coast of Africa The country has a thriving fishing industry and is one of the world’s largest exporters of canned tuna,
Major tuna species fished in Senegalese waters include:
- Skipjack tuna
- Yellowfin tuna
- Bigeye tuna
Tuna fishing and processing provides an important source of revenue and employment in Senegal. The country has numerous tuna canneries run by foreign companies that produce canned tuna mainly for export to Europe, North America and beyond.
However, concerns have emerged over the environmental sustainability and safety of some Senegalese tuna fishing and canning operations
Concerns Around Unsafe Fishing and Processing
Several issues have been raised regarding tuna sourced from Senegal:
Overfishing – Critics argue Senegal’s tuna fishery is poorly managed leading to overexploitation. Total allowable catches are too high to allow sustainable harvesting long-term.
Bycatch – Indiscriminate fishing techniques like purse seining can negatively impact other marine species. Reports indicate Senegalese fishermen often lack measures to safely release bycatch.
Labor issues – Human rights groups cite dangerous working conditions, labor violations and abuse aboard foreign tuna fishing vessels operating in Senegal.
Hygiene issues – Lax enforcement of food safety standards has allowed unsanitary conditions in some processing facilities.
Toxicity risks – Questions remain around Senegal’s monitoring of tuna for biotoxins, heavy metals and other contaminants. Mercury levels may be especially high in large bigeye and yellowfin tuna.
Lack of transparency – Critics argue Senegal lacks robust traceability and labeling requirements to track origins and ensure responsible sourcing.
Are There Any Proven Dangers?
While concerns exist around Senegalese tuna, no research has definitively proven dangers from eating it.
The US FDA monitors all imported canned tuna including from Senegal. They inspect foreign facilities and sampling indicates Senegalese tuna does meet US standards for safety and hygiene overall.
However, lax enforcement remains an issue according to reports. And questions around sustainability and ethics linger for some Senegalese tuna operations.
When it comes to health hazards like mercury, it’s important to follow the FDA’s advice:
-
Pregnant women and young children should avoid eating bigeye tuna which can be higher in mercury.
-
Canned light tuna is a better choice as it is usually skipjack tuna which is lower in mercury.
-
Adults can eat up to 6 ounces (170g) per week of canned albacore white tuna which has more mercury than canned light tuna.
How To Find Responsibly Sourced Tuna from Senegal
Given the concerns, how can you identify if your tuna comes from sustainable Senegalese fisheries with safe processing practices? Here are a few tips:
-
Check labels for species and source details – This allows you to avoid bigeye if concerned about mercury exposure. Verify it’s caught in Senegalese waters.
-
Look for sustainability certifications – The MSC label indicates certified sustainable fishing practices.
-
Choose pole & line caught tuna – This fishing method produces little bycatch compared to controversial purse seining techniques.
-
Support processors following food safety protocols – Look for GMP and HACCP certification by inspectors.
-
Purchase Fair Trade certified brands – This indicates better worker treatment and conditions.
-
Favor small-scale local fisheries – These use traditional fishing methods with less environmental impact over industrial fleets.
-
Don’t rely on brands linked to violations – Avoid those fined or warned for unsustainable or unsafe practices.
Final Thoughts on Senegalese Tuna
Tuna remains a healthy and nutritious seafood choice loaded with protein, omega-3s and essential nutrients. But sourcing plays a crucial role in its true food safety and sustainability.
Serious concerns remain around some large industrial tuna operations in Senegal lacking sufficient oversight and standards. However, tuna from smaller-scale local fisheries and processors committed to responsibility likely pose little risk.
By carefully checking labels, certifications and brand reputation when buying canned tuna from Senegal, you can feel confident you’ve found a product that is ethical, eco-friendly and safe to enjoy.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/is-tuna-healthy-2122477-v2-b65db68538454c28a147b1b5d2e75b2f.png)
What the Tuna Industry Says
We called all of the companies we tested and also heard from the National Fisheries Institute (NFI), a group that speaks for companies that make canned tuna. NFI told us that the amounts of mercury we found were much lower than what the FDA allows in canned tuna and that these foods are safe to eat. StarKist and Chicken of the Sea both said that their tuna meets this FDA limit for mercury.
Bumble Bee said that eating seafood has more health benefits than any possible risks, such as worries about mercury. ”.
We tested several types of light tuna and found that Wild Planet’s Skipjack Wild Tuna had the highest mercury levels of all of them. The company said they “had to make a choice between offering tuna with the very lowest possible mercury level or offering tuna from the best sustainable practice,” and they still have tunas with low mercury levels.
Safe Catch is one of the tuna brands we looked at, and its cans say that it has the “lowest mercury of any brand.” ”.
Mercury levels were pretty low in Safe Catch, but they were also low in most of the other light or skipjack tunas we tested. There weren’t many differences in average mercury levels between the Safe Catch cans we tested and those from most other brands. Similarly, Safe Catch’s albacore tuna had mercury levels that were similar to most of the other brands we tested. In fact, Bumble Bee’s albacore tuna had lower levels of mercury. Wild Albacore tuna from Safe Catch can cost up to $5, and Wild Elite light tuna can cost up to $3. 50, it costs less than $2 for light tuna and less than $3 for albacore from StarKist, Bumble Bee, and Chicken of the Sea. (Wild Planet’s skipjack and albacore costs up to about $3. 50 and $5. 60, respectively. ).
CR talked to Bryan Boches, CEO and founder of Safe Catch. He said, “We have tested over 6 million individual tuna, so we know that mercury levels in tuna vary widely regardless of catch method, size, or location.” He also said, “Safe Catch is the only brand that tests each individual tuna to a strict mercury limit before it is accepted.” ” No other brand in our test claims to test every tuna.
The Trouble With Tuna
Mercury is found all over the ocean, and nearly all fish that you might eat has some mercury in it. It’s both an element found naturally in the environment and a byproduct of manmade pollution. As a general rule, bigger fish have more mercury in their bodies than smaller fish because they are higher on the food chain. The more small fish those big fish eat, the more mercury builds up in their bodies.
Even though tuna isn’t the biggest fish in the ocean, a lot of kids and adults of all ages love it and eat it all the time. 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. It can even hurt adults in large amounts, making it hard for them to speak, sleep, walk, and coordinate their fine motor skills. It can also make them feel prickly. Those who are pregnant should be especially worried, though, because mercury can harm the developing brains and nervous systems of their babies
The Food and Drug Administration made stricter rules in 2017 about which fish you should avoid if you are pregnant or might become pregnant. The FDA said that those at risk could eat up to 12 ounces (3 servings) of light tuna or 4 ounces (1 serving) of albacore per week, as long as they didn’t eat any other fish. To keep things simple, a 5-ounce can of tuna has 4 ounces of tuna in it. The last ounce is water or oil. ).
Half of the people who answer don’t know that different kinds of canned tuna have different amounts of mercury. Another half don’t know that canned tuna has any mercury at all.
November 2022 CR survey of 2,185 U.S. adults
There is a critical window of development for a fetus during pregnancy, and the FDA recently told CR that these levels are “protective of neurodevelopmental effects.” These levels are also safe for other people.
That being said, CR’s food safety experts at the time said that the FDA’s new messages were a step in the right direction but didn’t go far enough, at least for tuna. They thought that pregnant women shouldn’t eat any tuna because the FDA’s data showed that some cans had really high levels of mercury that could be harmful. CR’s experts also thought that other adults and kids should cut back on how much they eat for the same reason.
CR’s food safety experts still say the same thing: “We are still concerned that the variation we see from can to can makes tuna too risky for pregnant women and suggests everyone should take some precautions,” says Michael Hansen, PhD, a senior scientist at CR.
Is Canned Tuna Safe To Eat? Experts Weigh In On The Benefits Of Eating The Canned Fish | TIME
FAQ
Why is tuna from Senegal?
What is the safest tuna to eat?
Which tuna is lowest in mercury?
Are canned tuna products safe to eat?
NFI said that the mercury levels we found were well below the limit that the FDA allows in canned tuna and said these products are safe to consume. StarKist and Chicken of the Sea said their tuna products are monitored for mercury and meet this FDA limit.
Is tuna fish good for health?
1) Tuna is loaded with omega 3 and 6 fatty acids which help in reducing cholesterol. 2) Tuna is rich in potassium which is known to reduce blood pressure. Omega 3 fatty acids in combination with potassium bring an anti inflammatory effect and promotes heart health. 3) Tuna is rich in various vitamins and minerals like manganese, zinc, vit C and selenium which help in strengthening immune system. They help in reducing free radicals and protect the body from cancers. 4) Vit B that is present in tuna helps in strengthening bones. 5) It improves skin health as it is rich in vitamin B complex.
How do you know if canned tuna is safe to eat?
Check if the canned tuna you’re considering bears certifications such as MSC (Marine Stewardship Council) or Dolphin-Safe labels, which indicate efforts toward environmentally-friendly sourcing. Don’t fall for vague terms like “line caught,” rather, stick to “pole-caught” or “trolling” if possible.
Is Walmart canned tuna safe?
Avoid any Walmart brand canned tuna. Ocean Safe Products: None. “Walmart is the world’s largest retailer and sells about one out of every four cans of tuna in the U.S. Rather than lead, Walmart’s chosen to drown in a sea of dirty tuna. Walmart continues to fail, refusing to clean up its destructive Great Value brand canned tuna.