Are you ready for a controversial thought? There are times when canned tuna might be better than fresh.
Before you start brandishing pitchforks at us and telling us to give up our gourmet food enthusiast badge or be kicked out of the community, let us make our case.
We get the skepticism. People who care about the food they eat don’t think much of canned tuna. I’ve heard it called everything from “college bro-food” to “gourmet cat food” in the worst cases.
People who aren’t interested in putting a lot of time and effort into the food they eat keep it in their pantry or fridge because it’s cheap and not very good. Add mayo and put it between two slices of bread. That’s it. A dish that’s a step up from Subway. That’s the best you can do with it.
We’re here to show that canned tuna, especially canned Italian tuna, deserves more praise from foodies than it has gotten so far. Also, because a lot of bad things were said about it because of untrue food myths that were spread on the internet by people who don’t know much about how the product is sourced, packaged, and kept in good condition for shipping.
Tuna is one of the most popular canned fish around the world. It’s versatile, tasty, and packed with protein. However, many people have concerns about the mercury content in tuna, especially when it comes to popular brands like Rio Mare
So does Rio Mare tuna have mercury? Let’s dive into the details.
An Overview of Mercury in Fish
Mercury is a heavy metal that is present in the environment. It makes its way into the ocean and builds up in the flesh of larger fish over time. The main health concern with mercury is its toxic organic form – methylmercury.
When humans consume methylmercury, it can accumulate in our bodies. Mercury exposure at high levels can harm the nervous system, especially in developing babies and young children.
That said, it’s important to note that mercury is present in all fish to some degree. The key is moderation and choosing low mercury varieties.
Rio Mare’s Commitment to Quality Control
Rio Mare is an iconic Italian brand known for its dedication to quality. According to their website, Rio Mare tuna undergoes rigorous controls to ensure low mercury levels.
Specifically, Rio Mare’s added guarantee is that ongoing controls on the raw materials and finished product show that the mercury values contained in Rio Mare tuna are 10 times lower than the safety limits established by law.
Additionally Rio Mare utilizes skipjack and yellowfin tuna species for canning. These smaller tuna varieties have substantially lower mercury levels than larger tuna like bluefin.
Federal Guidelines on Tuna Consumption
The FDA provides guidelines for how much canned tuna people can safely eat per week based on mercury content:
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For children under 6 years old:
- 1 serving (3 oz) of white/albacore tuna per month
- 2-3 servings of light tuna per month
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For children 6-12 years old:
- 2 servings (4.5 oz) of white tuna per month
- 2-5 servings of light tuna per month
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For adults:
- 3 servings (6 oz) of white tuna per month
- 1 serving (6 oz) of light tuna per week
Pregnant women have the same guidelines as other adults. However, it’s ideal to choose lower mercury seafood like salmon.
Mercury Risks Are Low with Moderation
Based on the above FDA guidelines, adults and kids can safely enjoy canned tuna in moderation as part of a balanced diet. Consuming a variety of seafood is recommended, rather than just tuna.
For people who eat tuna infrequently, mercury should not be a major concern. Rio Mare tuna is heavily tested to verify low mercury content as well.
However, some individuals still choose to limit or avoid tuna to minimize mercury exposure. This includes women who are pregnant, nursing mothers, and parents of young children.
Tips for Reducing Mercury Exposure from Tuna
Here are some tips if you want to reduce mercury intake from tuna:
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Choose light tuna over white/albacore tuna when possible. Light tuna has approximately 1/3 the mercury levels.
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Eat a variety of lower mercury seafood like salmon, shrimp, pollock, tilapia, cod, and canned sardines.
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Follow the federal consumption guidelines for canned tuna based on your age and pregnancy status.
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For young children, mix tuna with other ingredients like mayo or crackers to make the serving size smaller.
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Avoid consuming tuna daily and limit higher mercury fish like swordfish, tilefish, shark, and king mackerel.
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Check with your doctor about tuna consumption if you are pregnant or nursing.
The Bottom Line on Rio Mare Tuna
So does Rio Mare tuna have mercury? Yes, but at levels substantially below the legal safety limits according to their rigorous quality testing.
Consuming Rio Mare tuna in moderation as part of a varied diet is unlikely to pose any mercury risks for most people. However, those who eat tuna daily or in large amounts may want to take extra precautions by choosing lower mercury options.
As always, it’s smart to consult your doctor with any specific questions or concerns about mercury exposure from fish. But for most people, tuna can be safely enjoyed as part of an overall balanced and nutritious diet.
What’s the big deal about Italian tuna?
Italian tuna has become a well-known brand over the years, but most people probably don’t know how important an exporter Italy is. Keep this in mind: if you find good tuna in olive oil, it was probably made in Italy, probably in the south.
Fish and seafood, especially tuna, have been important parts of Southern Italian, especially Sicilian, food for a long time. Tuna used to be a seasonal product, mainly caught in spring and summer. People in the area started putting tuna in olive oil to make it last longer so they could store it for the winter and bring it to the north to sell.
Companies known to manufacture high-quality canned tuna do so because they respect long-standing traditions. The fish for Callipo or Rio Mare tuna products is sourced and processed with traditional taste in mind. The goal is to keep the taste of Italian tuna that has been stored at home while letting people skip all the work that goes into storing it.
In other words, Italian manufacturers that want to be the best know they cannot cut any corners.
The most popular seafood in the USA:
Did you know that canned tuna in olive oil has been on the list of best-selling seafood products for over 25 years now? In 1997, journalist Suzanne Hamlin pointed out that it was the #1 best-selling seafood in the country, and it hasn’t left that list ever since then. As Americans ate more seafood over the years, some products, like frozen shrimp and salmon, started “expanding their userbase.” However, canned tuna in olive oil stayed a top seller, even though it moved up and down in the sales rankings.
The fact that people keep buying the same product year after year is, at the very least, a sign that there must be a few good reasons for it. The biggest of them? Accessibility and dependability.
We’ve repeatedly heard that fresh fish is better than canned. We also love gourmet food, and we’d like to make the case that some canned foods are better than fresh ones when it comes to source, quality, and taste.
But that’s beside this point. A lot of people don’t get to choose between fresh and canned fish very often, if ever. That being said, if you can’t find a fishmonger you can trust to get you the good stuff, good canned fish is often your best bet.
Mercury in Tuna: What Type Is Good and Bad?
FAQ
Does Rio Mare tuna have mercury in it?
Is Rio Mare tuna healthy?
Which tuna has the least mercury?
Is Rio Mare real tuna?
Is Rio Mare tuna high in Mercury?
It’s also worth noting that Rio Mare uses Yellowfin and Skipjack tuna species, which are naturally lower in mercury levels compared to other varieties. Additionally, the fish caught for canning tend to be younger than those caught to be sold fresh, further reducing the mercury levels in their flesh. What Is Mercury And Why Is It A Concern In Tuna?
Albacore tuna vs Tuna: Which is healthier?
Albacore Tuna and Tuna, both serve the same kind of nutritional advantages. They are a rich source of protein, selenium, vitamin B12. As compared to other Tuna, Albacore Tuna is a better source of omega-3 fatty acids. This makes Albacore tuna a healthier choice for heart. Whereas, Albacore Tuna is also a good source of mercury as compared to Tuna, so pregnant women and children should have it in limited amounts.
Is Rio Mare tuna safe?
It’s important to note that while all fish contain some level of mercury, Rio Mare’s commitment to quality and safety means that their tuna is a safe and healthy choice for consumers looking for a convenient and nutritious source of protein.
Is Rio Mare tuna good for weight loss?
Rio Mare Tuna is also low in fat and carbohydrates, making it an ideal food for those looking to lose weight or maintain a healthy diet. It contains less than 10% fat and no carbohydrates, making it a low-calorie food that can help you feel full and satisfied without consuming excessive calories.