February 21, 2007 – Health Canada has just issued new recommendations regarding the consumption of canned albacore tuna.
The Federal Ministry recommends that pregnant women, those who wish to become pregnant and those who are breastfeeding, limit their consumption of canned albacore tuna to four servings per week (one serving is equivalent to 75 g, 2 ½ ounces, 125 ml or ½ Cup). It is suggested that children one to four years old consume one serving or less per week, and up to two servings for ages five to eleven.
There are no specific recommendations for the general population: “Occasional consumption exceeding the recommended amount does not represent a risk for the average consumer”, underlines Health Canada.
This update was made public on February 19 due to a mercury level possibly exceeding the limit of 0.5 parts per million (PPM)1. Previously, the consumption of canned albacore tuna was not the subject of any specific recommendation. However, this product had attracted the attention of Health Canada in recent months.
However, the broadcast of a survey on the mercury content of canned albacore tuna, conducted by the CBC television channel, would have precipitated the update planned by Health Canada. According to this survey, up to 13% of cans of albacore tuna sold in the country could contain traces of mercury exceeding the standard.
According to Health Canada, mercury levels in canned albacore tuna are higher than those found in other types of canned tuna, “but they still remain below the threshold of 0.5 PPM.”
In the United States, where this threshold is set at 1 PPM, it is recommended that pregnant women and children limit themselves to one serving of canned albacore tuna per week.
What about light tuna?
Canned albacore tuna differs from light tuna. Cans of light tuna contain other species of tuna, such as skipjack, yellowfin tuna or longtail tuna, which contain four times lower mercury concentrations than albacore tuna, Health Canada estimates. The consumption of canned light tuna is also not limited to the country.
In 2005, Canadians bought 160 million cans of tuna, 83% of which contained light tuna, and 17% contained albacore tuna.
Martin LaSalle – PasseportSanté.net
Version modified on February 22, 2007
According to Radio-Canada and Protect yourself.
1. To access Health Canada’s update on albacore tuna consumption: www.hc-sc.gc.ca [consulté le 20 février 2007].
