All samples from the 148 cans of tuna examined showed traces of mercury, with concentrations reaching up to four times the limits authorized by the European Union for some of them

Alarming contamination: canned tuna “loaded” with mercury

On Tuesday October 29, the Bloom association, in partnership with the NGO Foodwatch, published the results of an in-depth study of canned tuna. The conclusions are unequivocal: all cans analyzed contain mercury levels, some exceeding thresholds considered toxic.

In 2022, French consumers consumed an average of 4.9 kilos of tuna per person, according to FranceAgriMer statistics. Unfortunately, this consumption also led to significant exposure to methylmercury, a mercury derivative, as the two NGOs point out.

In their report, Bloom and Foodwatch sound the alarm about the high levels of methylmercury detected in canned tuna. The 148 samples analyzed across Europe all contain traces of mercury, with some cans, notably those of the French brand “Petit Navire”, displaying alarming levels of 3.9 mg per kilo, making them one of the worst examples in the EU.

A danger to public health

Methylmercury is a toxic element, recognized for its potential harmful effects, including carcinogenicity. In almost half the cases examined, concentrations exceeded the threshold of 0.3 mg per kilo, the standard applied to other types of fish. NGOs are calling for tighter health regulations to protect public health.

Methylmercury, which forms through chemical reactions when mercury enters aquatic environments, is particularly dangerous for the human central nervous system, especially during pregnancy and early childhood, according to health authorities.

When it comes to mercury, it’s essential to understand that dose determines toxicity. In an interview with Le Figaro last February, a health authority official stated that the average daily consumption of a French person was acceptable, except for “less than 1% of the population” who would consume several hundred grams of fish every week. However, the tolerance thresholds set by the World Health Organization (WHO) are deemed insufficient by the two NGOs, who are calling for stricter measures to protect consumer health.

Health emergency: plea to ban tuna in public establishments

On October 24, France’s Agence nationale de sécurité sanitaire de l’alimentation, de l’environnement et du travail (Anses) issued a warning on its website, highlighting the dangers of methylmercury. At high levels, this substance is particularly harmful to the central nervous system, especially during the critical periods of in utero development and early childhood. In its recommendations, the agency recommends limiting fish consumption to twice a week, diversifying species and avoiding predatory fish such as tuna, which remains the most widely consumed species in Europe.

To protect vulnerable populations, notably pregnant women, Anses insists on the need to avoid the most contaminated fish, including tuna, but also skate, bream and monkfish.

Faced with this alarming situation, the NGOs Bloom and Foodwatch are making an urgent appeal to the authorities. They are demanding a strict limit of 0.3 mg mercury per kilo for tuna, in line with the standards applied to other fish. They are also calling for a national ban on the sale of tuna products exceeding this limit, and for the exclusion of tuna from nurseries, hospitals, maternity wards, retirement homes and school canteens.

To reinforce their approach, the two organizations have launched a petition, urging supermarkets to adopt stricter controls, stop promoting tuna and raise public awareness of the health risks associated with mercury contamination in fish. This movement aims to guarantee food safety and protect the health of the most vulnerable populations.