Campaigners urge a ban on tinned tuna in schools and hospitals, citing serious health risks linked to mercury contamination.
Health experts and campaigners are calling for a ban on tinned tuna in schools, hospitals, and care homes.
Known for its omega-3 content, tuna has long been a staple in many households, but a new study has raised serious alarm about its safety.
New study reveals mercury contamination in tinned tuna
The research analyzed nearly 150 tins of tuna from supermarkets across the UK, France, Italy, Germany, and Spain.
It uncovered alarming levels of mercury contamination in the fish.
According to the study, over half of the samples tested exceeded the recommended safe limits for mercury.
Mercury is a toxic metal that can pose significant health risks.
Health risks of mercury exposure
Mercury exposure is a serious concern, as it can affect the nervous system, impair vision, hearing, and speech, and lead to flu-like symptoms, nausea, and vomiting.
In severe cases, mercury poisoning has been linked to lung damage and certain types of cancer.
Given these dangers, experts warn that mercury-laced tuna could have dire consequences for public health.
Campaigners push for a ban in vulnerable areas
As a result of these findings, environmental groups and consumer-rights organizations like Bloom and Foodwatch are calling for stricter regulations.
They are also advocating for tuna to be removed from menus in schools, hospitals, care homes, and maternity wards.
These organizations argue that vulnerable groups, like children, pregnant women, and the elderly, face greater mercury risks.
Campaigners demand ban on tinned tuna in schools and hospitals over colossal health risks
Bloom and Foodwatch have accused the tuna industry and government officials of prioritizing economic interests over public health.
They claim that lobbying by tuna fishing companies has allowed unsafe mercury levels to remain, endangering millions in Europe.
The organizations are demanding stricter mercury limits in tuna and clearer labeling to warn consumers about the potential health risks.
“European public authorities have chosen an approach completely at odds with their duty to protect public health.
They use the actual mercury contamination of the tuna to establish a threshold that ensures that 95 percent can be sold.
“This is why tuna, one of the most contaminated species, has a maximum mercury tolerance three times higher than that of the least contaminated species.”
Foodwatch has called the mercury contamination of tuna a “health scandal on an unprecedented scale.”
The organization has criticized European public authorities for allowing mercury levels in tuna to remain higher than in other fish species.
They argue that the current standards are not adequately protecting consumers.
“What we end up with on our dinner plates is a colossal risk to public health that’s not considered seriously.
“We won’t give up until we have a more protective European standard.”
Current standards and health recommendations
Under current UK and EU regulations, the mercury limit in tuna products is set at 1mg/kg, while other fish species are capped at 0.3mg/kg.
The study revealed that more than half of the tuna samples tested exceeded the 0.3mg/kg limit for other fish.
This raised concerns about the adequacy of existing regulations.
Experts, including Mark Willis from the UK’s Food Standards Agency, have advised pregnant women and those trying to conceive to limit their tuna consumption.
This is due to the fish’s higher mercury content.