An investigation by NGO Bloom revealed that all 148 tested canned tuna samples across five European countries contained mercury, with over half exceeding safety limits for other fish. The report criticized current European standards for enabling high contamination levels and called for urgent reforms. Health experts warn that mercury poses significant risks, especially to vulnerable populations like pregnant women and children. Bloom and Foodwatch demand action from authorities to enforce stricter mercury limits and protect public health.
On Tuesday, the NGO Bloom issued a warning regarding the health risks associated with canned tuna, highlighting significant contamination with mercury and urging for immediate measures alongside Foodwatch.
Bloom, dedicated to ocean conservation, conducted a study involving 148 cans selected randomly from five European nations: France, Germany, England, Spain, and Italy. Testing carried out by an independent lab revealed that every single can contained mercury.
More than half of the cans tested exhibited mercury levels surpassing the maximum allowed limit for other fish species like cod and anchovies, which is set at 0.3 mg/kg.
In contrast, the permissible limit for tuna is higher, established at 1 mg/kg. However, this threshold applies to fresh tuna, and according to Bloom’s analysis, the mercury concentration can rise to approximately 2.7 mg/kg in canned products due to dehydration.
A can of Petit Navire tuna tested during this investigation showed a mercury content of 3.9 mg/kg.
In response, the company stated that its products are “perfectly safe” for consumers. They emphasized that their routine checks consistently show mercury levels well below European standards, averaging between 0.2 and 0.3 mg/kg, thereby preserving a margin of 70 to 80% below the legal limit.
Bloom researcher Julie Guterman pointed out that existing European standards were created based on observed levels of tuna contamination rather than on the inherent health risks posed by mercury.
– ‘Total Opacity’ –
According to the NGO, the issue stems from a regulation on contaminants that was revised in 2022 by a ‘technical committee’ within the European Commission, which Bloom claims operates without transparency.
“It appears that maximum contamination levels are set to allow for the marketing of as much contaminated fish as possible, reflecting a principle known as ALARA, or as low as reasonably achievable,” Bloom argued. They believe that this approach prioritizes commercial interests over health concerns.
The organization insists that there is no valid health justification for the current discrepancy, stressing that mercury’s toxicity remains unchanged regardless of its source, and that only the concentration of mercury in food matters.
The World Health Organization (WHO) categorizes mercury as one of the top ten substances posing serious public health risks, and in marine environments, mercury can transform into methylmercury, a more toxic compound.
Exposure to mercury can lead to neurological and behavioral issues, warns the WHO, which notes that toxicity can result from inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact.
The French Food Safety Agency (Anses) acknowledges that high doses of methylmercury are harmful to the human central nervous system, especially during fetal development and in young children.
Anses advises limiting tuna consumption but does not suggest total abstinence for pregnant women and children under three due to the nutritional benefits fish provide.
“Inevitably, it’s a challenge to make stronger recommendations, especially because fish offer valuable benefits that are hard to replace,” remarked Irène Margaritis, deputy director of risk assessment at Anses.
Health Minister Geneviève Darrieussecq, asked about this issue at the National Assembly, affirmed that food operators bear primary responsibility for ensuring their products meet safety standards.
Regarding potential tightening of regulations, the Minister mentioned that discussions are necessary with the Directorate General for Food and at the European level.
The European Commission responded, emphasizing that ensuring the utmost food safety standards for citizens in the EU is a top priority. They noted that mercury limits in foodstuffs were revised in 2022 based on the latest data.
“The data on mercury levels in tuna indicated no possibility for further reduction in the maximum allowable levels under the ALARA principle,” the Commission concluded.
In light of what they call a “serious public health scandal,” Bloom and the consumer rights group Foodwatch are demanding urgent action. They are advocating for the European Commission and French authorities to adopt stricter mercury limits of 0.3 mg/kg and are calling for retailers to sell only products that meet this threshold.