A spot check of canned tuna shows that mercury levels can rise without warning from one can to the next. This makes the staple food “too risky” to eat while pregnant, according to a new report released by Consumer Reports on Thursday.
But a doctor who helped write the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists’ pregnancy guide says the results don’t change the advice about how much tuna pregnant women should eat. Six ounces or less per week are safe for them to consume, according to the ACOG guide.
Plus, the fish business says that the mercury levels found by Consumer Reports are a lot lower than the U.S. S. Food and Drug Administration.
James Rogers, director of food safety research and testing at Consumer Reports, says that this level may not be safe for health.
Rogers tells TODAY, “We think the least amount of mercury that you can get in these products is better for us.” com.
Eating tuna during pregnancy is a controversial topic. Tuna is a convenient source of protein and omega-3s However, it also contains mercury, which can harm fetal development I dug into the details to find out if Starkist tuna is safe for pregnant women.
The Benefits of Tuna
Tuna is affordable, convenient, and packs a nutritional punch. A 3-ounce portion contains:
- 20-25 grams of protein
- 500 mg of omega-3 fatty acids
- Vitamins B3, B6, B12, selenium, and potassium
Omega-3s support fetal brain and eye development. They may also reduce the risk of preterm birth and postpartum depression.
Tuna’s low cost makes it accessible. Its canned form needs no refrigeration and allows quick meal prep. For many busy moms, tuna sandwiches or salads are lunchtime staples.
The Mercury Problem
However, tuna contains methylmercury, an organic compound. Methylmercury biomagnifies as it travels up the food chain. Large, predatory fish like tuna contain the highest levels.
During pregnancy, methylmercury passes through the placenta and blood-brain barrier. It interferes with fetal brain and nervous system development, impairing cognition, memory, attention, language, and fine motor skills.
Mercury exposure also increases risks for autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, and lower IQ scores. These effects appear most pronounced with high, chronic exposure during early pregnancy. But lower levels may still cause concerns.
In 2004, the FDA and EPA issued a joint advisory about seafood consumption during pregnancy. They identified canned white (albacore) tuna as a high-mercury fish to eat in moderation. Light tuna was classified as lower-risk.
They recommended pregnant women eat no more than:
- 6 ounces of canned white tuna per week
- 12 ounces of canned light tuna per week
However, evidence suggests mercury risks in tuna may be higher than these 2004 EPA/FDA guidelines indicate.
FDA Tuna Testing Finds Spikes in Mercury
In 2017, the FDA re-tested mercury in canned tuna to reassess the 2004 recommendations. They analyzed mercury in over 1,200 samples of canned light and white tuna.
The average mercury levels aligned with the 2004 guidelines. But the FDA found frequent spikes where individual cans far exceeded the average.
20% of light tuna samples contained mercury levels high enough to warrant eating only 1 serving per week instead of 2-3.
Nearly 10% of light tuna samples exceeded the “do not eat” threshold for mercury.
These FDA results suggested pregnant women should use caution with canned tuna. While light tuna is lower-risk on average, mercury levels can vary wildly between individual cans.
Consumer Reports Study Confirms Mercury Spikes
In 2022, Consumer Reports replicated the FDA’s canned tuna mercury testing. They tested 30 samples from 5 top brands: Bumble Bee, Chicken of the Sea, StarKist, Wild Planet, and Safe Catch.
Their findings verified the FDA results. Among light tuna samples, they found:
- 20% exceeded the FDA’s “eat only 1 serving per week” mercury threshold
- 10% exceeded the “do not eat” advisory level
For albacore tuna, 37% of samples contained worryingly high mercury levels.
Consumer Reports concluded pregnant women should avoid canned tuna altogether. Spikes in individual cans make tuna too high-risk.
How Much Mercury is in Starkist Tuna?
Among major brands, Starkist is the top-selling canned tuna company in the United States.
I could not find mercury testing results specific to Starkist. However, Consumer Reports tested two StarKist products:
- StarKist Chunk Light Tuna in Water
- StarKist Selects Albacore Tuna in Water
Light Tuna Results
The two tested samples of StarKist Chunk Light contained an average of 0.077 ppm (parts per million) mercury.
This is below the FDA limit of 0.2 ppm for light tuna. At this average level, health experts consider 2-3 weekly servings safe.
However, the third sample contained 0.247 ppm mercury – exceeding the “eat only 1 serving per week” threshold.
This reinforces that mercury levels may spike in individual cans, making Starkist’s light tuna less safe than its average suggests.
Albacore Results
StarKist’s albacore samples averaged 0.497 ppm mercury. This exceeds the FDA’s 0.3 ppm limit for white tuna.
One sample contained 0.642 ppm – more than double the FDA limit and in the “do not eat” range.
These results indicate Starkist’s albacore tuna is high risk and best avoided during pregnancy.
Precautions for Pregnant Women
To protect fetal development, it is wise to minimize mercury exposure from tuna. Here are some suggested precautions:
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Avoid all albacore or white tuna, which is higher in mercury.
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Limit light tuna to 1-2 servings per week. But be aware any can may contain spike mercury levels.
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Avoid tuna steaks, which are riskier than canned tuna.
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Choose alternative low-mercury fish like salmon, shrimp, or pollock.
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Take an omega-3 supplement instead of eating tuna.
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If eating tuna, stick to reputable brands like Starkist that closely monitor for mercury.
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Check online calculators to see if your weight and serving sizes keep mercury below safe limits.
While starkist tuna likely poses lower mercury risks than albacore, contamination varies. To be safest, pregnant women may want to remove tuna from the diet altogether. But with precautions, occasional light tuna might be low-risk. Every woman must decide her own comfort level with these mercury risks.
Tips to Reduce Mercury Exposure
Here are some other ways pregnant women can lower mercury exposure:
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Avoid swordfish, shark, king mackerel, tilefish, and bigeye tuna. These contain very high mercury levels.
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Limit intake of freshwater fish caught locally in contaminated areas.
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Opt for sustainably caught wild salmon over farmed salmon.
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Use testing kits that estimate mercury levels in specific fish servings.
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Check local fish advisories for contaminated waterways.
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Remove skin, fat, and dark meat, which concentrate mercury.
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Avoid fish caught in industrial areas.
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Limit dental amalgam fillings, which contain mercury.
The Bottom Line
Research shows canned light tuna contains lower mercury on average than albacore. But individual cans may vary. Spikes occur in about 20% of light tuna samples.
For this reason, Consumer Reports advises pregnant women avoid all tuna. However, with limited weekly intake, tuna might pose low risks. Talk to your doctor about your preferences.
Starkist selectively tests their tuna to meet FDA guidelines. While not completely risk-free, their products likely represent safer options if you choose to eat tuna while pregnant. Follow the latest recommendations to make informed decisions about tuna consumption during this critical developmental period.
What the Consumer Reports analysis found:
Tests from Bumble Bee, Chicken of the Sea, StarKist, Safe Catch, and Wild Planet canned tuna packed in water were checked by Consumer Reports for mercury. It was tested with two types of fish from each of the five brands: albacore, which comes from bigger tunas, and light tuna, which comes from smaller species like skipjack.
With three samples of each product from different lots, 30 samples were tested in all.
Consumer Reports says it found “six separate spikes in mercury content that would change the FDA’s advice about how often that person should eat that kind of tuna.” ” Those spikes happen because tuna is a wild-caught fish, so humans don’t control their feed, Rogers says. They may eat more or less of other mercury-contaminated fish.
In their sample they found albacore tuna, also known as white tuna, has much more mercury regardless of the brand. Albacore typically contains three times more mercury than canned light tuna, according to the FDA.
Mercury levels can spike in unpredictable ways that might jeopardize the health of a fetus, Rogers says. An expert at Consumer Reports, Michael Hansen, says, “Because the tuna is different from can to can, it’s not safe for pregnant women.”
The organization’s advice is to avoid canned tuna altogether if you are pregnant. It also recommends children should eat light or skipjack tuna only.
The National Fisheries Institute, which speaks for companies that make canned tuna, says the levels of mercury found by Consumer Reports were “nowhere near” the levels that the FDA says are harmful to health.
Gavin Gibbons, a spokesperson for the institute, says that the FDA’s limit for mercury in fish is 1 part per million, which is ten times lower than the lowest levels linked to health problems.
The highest levels of mercury Consumer Reports found in cans of light tuna and albacore were 0. 58 and 0. 66 parts per million, respectively, he points out.
In a statement to TODAY, Gibbons says, “Neither of these levels even come close to this limit, and they are both safe to consume.” com.
The National Fisheries Institute has also posted an online response to the Consumer Reports analysis.
TODAY.com reached out for comment from the five companies whose tunas were tested.
Safe Catch says it has made a device to check tuna for mercury and has already done this on more than 6 million fish. In a statement, CEO and co-founder Bryan Boches says, “It’s the only brand that tests every single tuna to a strict mercury limit before we buy it.”
Wild Planet says it has an ongoing annual surveillance program that includes mercury. President and founder Bill Carvalho says the company’s research shows that the mercury levels in its skipjack are 14 times lower than the FDA limit and those in its albacore are six times lower.
The other companies did not respond. But StarKist and Chicken of the Sea told Consumer Reports that their tuna meets FDA limits for mercury and is checked for it.
Bumble Bee told the group that eating seafood has more health benefits than any possible risks, including worries about mercury. ”.
What does mercury do to the human body?
Eating seafood is the most common way Americans are exposed to mercury, a heavy metal and powerful neurotoxin, though most types of fish don’t have levels high enough to be toxic, the FDA notes.
But big predatory fish like tuna can contain especially high concentrations of mercury in their bodies, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council, an environmental advocacy group.
Eating too much seafood that’s high in mercury over long periods of time can lead to mercury poisoning. The National Library of Medicine lists skin numbness, shaking and tremors, double vision, memory loss, and seizures as signs.
The National Institutes of Health say that babies born to mothers who were exposed to large amounts of mercury may have brain damage that lasts a lifetime.
Thats why the FDA offers a guide to fish that are highest and lowest in the contaminant. Canned light tuna is listed among “best choices,” which means two to three 4-ounce servings per week are safe to eat during pregnancy, according to the agency.
It is safe to eat one 4-ounce serving of albacore tuna per week while you are pregnant because it is on the list of “good choices.”
Can I eat StarKist tuna fish while pregnant?
Is safe catch tuna safe during pregnancy?
Safe Catch tuna is right for your pregnancy. It contains vital nutrients including Omega-3 fatty acid and it’s tested for mercury.
Is it safe to eat crab meat during pregnancy?
It is safe to eat crab meat during pregnancy as long as it comes from a reliable source, with appropriate hygienic and sanitary conditions for pre-preparation, preparation and packaging of this food.
Can pregnant women eat canned tuna?
Pregnant women shouldn’t eat canned tuna and children and adults should eat less than the FDA recommends according to new research by Consumer Reports. The organization tested five brands of tuna to check mercury levels. Consumer Reports (CR) tested Bumble Bee, Chicken of the Sea, Starkist, Safe Catch and Wild Planet in cans.
Is albacore tuna safe to eat during pregnancy?
Albacore tuna is listed among “good choices,” which means one 4-ounce serving per week is safe to eat during pregnancy. Consumer Reports looked for mercury in samples of canned tuna packed in water from Bumble Bee, Chicken of the Sea, StarKist, Safe Catch and Wild Planet.