Tuna Contaminated by Mercury Sparks Health Concerns Across Europe
Today, a worrying investigation reveals widespread mercury contamination in canned tuna across Europe. A report from the environmental NGO Bloom, backed by Foodwatch, details alarming levels of mercury in tuna, sparking demands for regulatory action from European authorities and major retailers. The survey examined 148 cans of tuna purchased randomly in countries including France, Germany, England, Spain, and Italy. Shockingly, every sample contained mercury, with more than half exceeding safe levels allowed for other fish species, such as cod and anchovies. For instance, while the mercury limit for fresh tuna is capped at 1 mg/kg, Bloom found that, when concentrated in canned form, mercury levels could reach an estimated 2.7 mg/kg or higher. In one particularly troubling instance, a can of Petit Navire brand tuna purchased in Paris was found to contain 3.9 mg/kg—13 times higher than limits set for certain other fish.
Bloom's findings suggest that the established mercury limit for tuna was not based on health safety considerations but was set according to contamination levels already prevalent in tuna. Julie Guterman, a researcher from Bloom, condemned this, stating that it prioritizes commercial interests over public health. Bloom and Foodwatch are calling for authorities to reduce the legal limit for mercury in tuna to 0.3 mg/kg, matching the restrictions for other fish. They are also urging retailers to remove products that exceed this threshold from shelves.
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The World Health Organization (WHO) identifies mercury as one of the top ten most dangerous chemicals to public health. Mercury, particularly when it converts to methylmercury in oceans, accumulates in the tissue of fish like tuna, which are at the top of the food chain. This substance poses neurological risks, especially to fetuses and young children, and has been linked to developmental disorders and behavioral issues.
European consumers are increasingly concerned about mercury exposure, but regulatory bodies, such as the European Union’s SCoPAFF committee, operate with limited transparency. This committee, which sets safety standards, was found by Bloom to have ties with industry lobbyists, raising questions about conflicts of interest. As authorities review mercury regulations, the European Commission asserts that it has already reduced maximum allowable mercury levels based on current contamination data, yet many argue that health concerns are inadequately prioritized.
Bloom and Foodwatch emphasize that the high mercury levels found in tuna require urgent regulatory action, as mercury is no less toxic when ingested through tuna than through any other fish. They also highlight the lack of effective inspection in high-export zones, like the Seychelles, where only a handful of annual tests are conducted on tuna destined for European markets.
To tackle this issue, Bloom and Foodwatch have launched a campaign calling for public awareness and have introduced a petition asking top European retailers to act immediately to protect consumer health. The petition asks supermarkets, including Carrefour, Lidl, and Edeka, to stop selling canned tuna with mercury levels above 0.3 mg/kg. The campaign also encourages European governments to enact stricter regulations and limit the presence of mercury-contaminated tuna in schools, hospitals, and other public institutions.
The findings of this investigation underscore the urgent need for safer standards to protect the health of millions of European consumers.
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