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 one of the most beloved and frequently consumed fish worldwide. The popularity of canned tuna stems not only from its great taste and versatility but also its convenience, affordability and nutrition. However, concerns about the safety of some canned tuna, especially from China, have arisen in recent years.
In this article, we’ll explore if canned tuna from China is safe by looking at factors like lead risks, pollution, production standards, and how to find the healthiest and most reliable tuna brands.
Why China’s Canned Tuna is Questioned
Canned tuna consumption in the US has declined in the last decade, partially due to heightened consumer wariness about the safety and quality of some popular tuna brands, particularly those sourced from China.
Several factors have contributed to doubts about Chinese canned tuna
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Lead risks – Reports of high lead levels found in Chinese canned tuna raised alarms Lead exposure poses health hazards, especially for children.
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Pollution – Heavy industrial pollution in China contaminates waterways and impacts aquaculture and catch. Fish can absorb heavy metals, PCBs, and other toxins from contaminated environments.
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Production standards – Lax safety regulations, quality control issues, and unsanitary factory conditions in some Chinese facilities cast further uncertainty.
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Limited transparency – Lack of supply chain transparency makes it hard to verify the exact origin, species, and production methods of Chinese tuna.
Understandably, these factors make US consumers hesitant about the safety and wholesomeness of canned tuna from China versus other sources.
Lead Risks – A Serious Concern
One of the biggest worries surrounding Chinese canned tuna is the potential for lead contamination. Lead poses major health risks, especially for young children. Even tiny amounts can impair brain development and cause permanent damage.
In 2010, multiple brands of Chinese canned tuna sold in the US were recalled due to extremely high lead levels up to 13 times above the FDA limit of 0.1 parts per million. Over 500,000 cans were pulled from shelves.
Further testing and research found an average lead concentration of about 0.2 ppm in Chinese canned tuna, compared to just 0.001 ppm in American an EU canned tuna.
The source was traced to lead-soldered cans produced in China. Lead-based solder was banned in the US and EU decades ago. Standards are evidently more lax in some Chinese canneries.
This scandal rightfully shook consumer faith in the safety of canned tuna imported from China. Lead risks remain a major point of concern today.
Water and Soil Pollution in China
Besides lead in tuna cans, heavy pollution in China’s water and soil also raises alarms about the wholesomeness of their seafood.
China contends with severe industrial water pollution from sources like mining, factories, pesticides and fertilizers from aggressive agricultural practices. Toxic effluent full of heavy metals, chemicals, and other contaminants is routinely dumped into waterways with little treatment.
These pollutants bioaccumulate up the food chain into fish and shellfish. A 2013 study by the Chinese CDC found that over half of Chinese seafood tested contained unsafe drug residues or harmful metals like copper, arsenic, lead, and cadmium.
Fish raised in contaminated conditions or caught in polluted waters may absorb significant amounts of heavy metals, PCBs, antibiotics, pesticides, and other toxins concerning for human health.
Questionable Production Practices
Lagging safety standards, quality control issues, and unsanitary factory conditions at some Chinese seafood processors also foster reasonable doubts about the integrity of their canned tuna.
Weak regulations and oversight allow questionable production practices that would never fly in US or EU factories. FDA audits have revealed alarming problems like peeling paint, rust, and unlabeled chemical hazards at Chinese seafood plants.
Illegal antibiotic use in Chinese aquaculture also remains widespread, despite government bans.
While some Chinese companies like the large COFCO tuna cannery follow strict protocols to meet export safety requirements, lack of transparency and traceability makes it difficult to verify which brands maintain strong standards versus those cutting corners.
For understandably wary US consumers, production practices are another red flag compromising faith in Chinese canned tuna quality.
Finding the Safest Canned Tuna Brands
When looking for canned tuna free from the risks outlined above, where should you turn? Here are a few tips for finding canned tuna likely to be highly safe and wholesome:
Check the Country of Origin – Tuna canned in the US, Canada, or Europe adheres to stricter regulations and import safety checks compared to China. Brands packed in their country of sale tend to be more reliable.
Look for Reputable Certifications – Trusted bodies like the MSC, ISSF, or FDA inspect seafood processing facilities and boats for food safety and sustainability. Their seals provide assurance.
Seek Transparency – Ethical brands openly share details about exactly where and how they source fish to prove standards and traceability from bait to plate.
Focus on Smaller Wild-Caught Fish – Lower mercury wild tuna like skipjack is healthier than large farm-raised fish prone to accumulating toxins.
Buy BPA-Free Cans – Many brands now offer BPA-free cans to avoid chemical exposure from packaging.
By carefully checking labels and doing some research, you can feel confident that the canned tuna you choose is held to the highest safety and purity standards. Seek out quality brands that take transparency and sustainability seriously. Then enjoy your tuna, knowing it’s a healthy choice for you and the oceans alike.
12 of the Safest Canned Tuna Brands
To give you a great starting point, here is a quick list of some of the top canned tuna brands recommended by health experts and environmentally-conscious consumers:
1. Wild Planet – Albacore Wild Tuna
- Pole and line caught in the Pacific
- Marine Stewardship Council certified
- Low in mercury
2. Safe Catch – Elite Wild Tuna
- Smaller tunas to reduce mercury
- Third-party testing for purity
- Non-GMO, BPA-free cans
3. American Tuna
- Responsibly pole and line caught
- Supply chain transparency
- Comes in flavored options
4. Fishwife – Albacore Tuna in Olive Oil
- Sustainably caught in the Bay of Biscay
- Artisan cannery est. 1869
- GMO and preservative-free
5. Tonnino Tuna – Filets in Spring Water
- Sourced from responsibly managed fisheries
- Offered in beautiful glass jars
- Delicious flavor options like lemon-pepper
6. Whole Foods – 365 Everyday Value Wild Albacore
- Commitment to 100% sustainable sourcing
- Canned in the USA
- Lower sodium options available
7. Trader Joe’s – Chunk Light Skipjack Tuna
- Affordable, high-quality option
- Low mercury and arsenic
- Wild-caught in the Pacific
8. Chicken of the Sea – Chunk Light Tuna
- Marine Stewardship Council certified
- Large brand with strong traceability
- Variety of packaging options
9. Ocean Naturals – Skipjack Chunk Light Tuna
- Rated “green” for sustainability by Greenpeace
- Transparent about catch sources and location
- High omega-3 content
10. Bumble Bee – Chunk Light Tuna
- Iconic budget brand
- Working towards improved sustainability
- Classic, familiar canned tuna taste
11. Season – Yellowfin Tuna
- Traceable supply chain
- Pole and line caught
- Steak-like texture
12. Crown Prince – Natural Premium White Tuna
- Simple, short ingredient list
- Caught in Pacific and Atlantic
- Low mercury albacore
The Bottom Line – Canned Tuna Can Be Safe
While certain risks like lead contamination have rightfully tarnished the reputation of some Chinese canned tuna brands, it would be inaccurate to claim that all canned tuna from China is unsafe.
However, sourcing from American and European companies that transparently follow strict regulations and import testing standards is prudent to minimize risks from heavy metals, toxins, and questionable production practices.
With a bit of brand research and label reading, selecting canned tuna free from lead, pollution, and murky supply chains is absolutely achievable. Safe, nourishing canned tuna is readily accessible for any consumer prioritizing health and sustainability.
Albacore vs. Light Tuna
When CR tested 10 products, two types of tuna from each of the five brands were looked at: albacore, which comes from bigger tunas and costs more; and light tuna, which includes skipjack and comes from smaller tunas. CR tested three samples of each product, from different lots, for a total of 30 samples. All the tuna products came packed in water, which was drained before testing.
While these tests are only a snapshot of the market and don’t include all of it, they do show what people may be experiencing at this time when they eat these brands of tuna and stress how important it is for them to make safer choices every day.
One important thing to remember is that albacore has a lot more mercury than light or skipjack tuna, no matter what brand it is. Albacore tunas are bigger and live longer than light or skipjack tunas, so that doesn’t come as a surprise. The difference was pretty big, though. On average, the albacore products had three times more mercury than the others.
Scientists and seafood experts already know that albacore has more mercury than light tuna, but a new poll by CR suggests that most people may not know this. About half of Americans said they didn’t know that the mercury level in different kinds of canned tuna varies. And 18 percent said that they didn’t know that canned tuna has any mercury at all.
In our test, albacore had higher mercury levels than light tuna, but there was a lot of difference between brands. For example, the albacore tuna from Chicken of the Sea had 10 times more mercury than its light tuna. However, the albacore and skipjack tunas from Wild Planet had mercury levels that were very close to each other.
In our tests, none of the albacore tunas had levels low enough for an adult to eat three servings a week. Only the Bumble Bee Albacore had levels low enough for two servings a week. The rest of the albacore tunas had levels that mean you should only eat one serving a week, and kids shouldn’t eat albacore at all.
Our tests showed that all but one of the light tunas had levels low enough that CR’s experts believe that adults who are not pregnant could eat three 4-ounce servings of fish a week, and kids could eat two 1- to 4-ounce servings, depending on their age.
The exception: Wild Planet Skipjack Wild Tuna. In our tests, this light tuna had levels that were closer to those of albacore tuna, so you could only eat it once a week. (Note that the exact amount of tuna you can eat depends on your weight as well.) CR’s experts think these rules are a good starting point for everyone to use to keep track of how much mercury they’re taking in. ).
Why Spikes in Mercury Levels Matter
Even though light tuna usually has low levels of mercury, CR’s data shows that there can be sudden rises in the poison in certain cans.
Out of the 30 samples we looked at, we found six spikes in mercury levels that would change the FDA’s advice on how often someone should eat that kind of tuna. That’s 20 percent of the samples, or one in five cans. That’s the same percentage we found when we analyzed the FDA’s data on tuna in 2014.
Those variations are concerning, Hansen says. “You may know that light tuna has less mercury than albacore in general, but you can’t tell by looking at a can how much mercury it has,” he says.
For instance, because Wild Planet Skipjack tuna is a light tuna, a customer might think it’s fine to eat three servings a week. Our tests, though, showed that two of the three pieces of this tuna had mercury levels high enough to put them in the “once a week” group. There was also too much mercury in three albacore samples (one of StarKist Selects No Salt Added Albacore and two of Chicken of the Sea Albacore). These samples should not be eaten at all.
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FAQ
Is it safe to eat canned food from China?
Is it safe to eat fish from China?
Is it safe to eat food imported from China?
Does the US get food from China?
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.
Why is canned tuna dangerous?
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.
Is canned tuna high in Mercury?
Testing shows that mercury levels can vary wildly. There are so many reasons to like canned tuna. For one, it’s cheap: as low as 99 cents for a five-ounce can at Target. Two, it’s packed with health benefits: high in protein, low in fat, and loaded with heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids.
Where can I buy sustainable canned tuna?
Please note the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch program doesn’t formally endorse specific brands, and other sustainable canned tuna products may be available at your local grocer. Whole Foods Market and MOM’S Organic Market have sustainable seafood policies that cover their canned tuna products.