How much mercury is in tuna?

These recommendations are based on EPA guidance and estimates of mercury in the most popular canned tunas: Canned white, or albacore (0.32 parts per million of mercury). Children under six can eat up to one 3-ounce portion a month; children from 6–12, two 4.5-ounce portions a month. read more

Fortunately, parents and kids need not give up tuna altogether. There are two main kinds of canned tuna: chunk light and solid or chunk white (albacore). All canned white tuna is albacore. Its mercury levels are almost three times higher than the smaller skipjack tuna, used in most canned light tuna products. read more

Canned tuna is the second most popular seafood in the U.S. (shrimp is first) and is responsible for about 37 percent of the dietary mercury exposure. Canned albacore accounts for almost 20 percent of that. read more

Before we dive into the mercury/tuna debate, a little background on mercury is necessary. Mercury, like zinc, iron, and Lead, is a heavy metal. But unlike zinc and iron, lead and mercury have no useful function in the human body. The only functions that mercury has are adverse; negatively affecting the brain and kidneys. read more