“Poison in the fish”: Two NGOs raise the alarm over mercury contamination of tuna in Europe.

The NGOs Bloom and Foodwatch have reported the worrying contamination of canned tuna in Europe, highlighting mercury levels sometimes four times higher than the permitted standards for other fish. The 148 samples analyzed revealed systematic contamination, raising public health concerns.

Alarming findings on mercury in canned tuna

Bloom’s analyses show that all the tuna cans analyzed, originating from several European countries, contain high levels of mercury, often exceeding the limits established for other fish species. According to the press release, more than half of the samples exceeded the maximum level of 0.3 mg of mercury per kilogram, the threshold set for most fish. However, European regulations allow a tolerance of up to 1 mg/kg for tuna, an exception criticized by NGOs for its health risks.

Methylmercury, a toxic derivative of mercury, is a potent neurotoxin classified as a “possible carcinogen” by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). In regular, even small, amounts, this metal is dangerous, particularly for the most vulnerable populations: young children, pregnant women, and the elderly. Bloom and Foodwatch emphasize that prolonged exposure to methylmercury, particularly through popular foods like tuna, can cause serious neurodevelopmental disorders and impair brain function in adults.

High levels of mercury in several brands of tuna in Europe

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