Two NGOs are warning about the almost systematic contamination of cans of tuna with mercury. This very toxic chemical element is present in very high doses in the products of certain brands.
Two NGOs are sounding the alarm over the presence of an “extremely dangerous poison” in canned tuna. While tuna is the fish most consumed by the French, with nearly 5 kg ingested per person per year on average, the Bloom and Foodwatch associations warn of the risk of heavy metal contamination in a report published this Tuesday October 29. They go so far as to denounce a “real public health scandal”.
In their investigation, the NGOs examined a sample of 148 cans of tuna from all brands present in five European countries (Germany, England, Spain, France and Italy). And the conclusions are clear: “100% of the boxes are contaminated with mercury”. For half of them the situation is worse, because the mercury content exceeds the maximum limit set by health agencies for food products based on other species of fish, i.e. 0.3 mg/kg. For tuna, the threshold is set at 1 mg/kg.
Mercury is a chemical element naturally present in the environment, but human activities such as metallurgy, coal factories or the burning of waste increase its presence in the atmosphere. However, mercury is classified among the ten substances of greatest concern for public health by the World Health Organization (WHO). But NGOs specify that cans of tuna are contaminated by methylmercury, an even more toxic derivative of mercury obtained after chemical reactions with bacteria, particularly in the aquatic environment. This derivative is considered potentially carcinogenic during regular contact according to the National Health Safety Agency (ANSES).
Exposure to methylmercury is “toxic to the central nervous system of humans, particularly during in utero development and early childhood,” indicate health authorities. It can lead to “neurological and behavioral disorders”, adds the WHO.
Up to nearly 4 mg of mercury per kilo of tuna
The risk of mercury contamination through the consumption of canned tuna is therefore cause for concern. Especially since for certain boxes, the mercury content far exceeds the authorized thresholds. Canned foods from the “Petit Navire” brand are also singled out as the worst cans of tuna on the European Union market with 3.9 mg of mercury per kilo of tuna, well above the standards. authorized.
If this brand is cited as an example, researcher Julie Guterman who participated in the NGO survey specifies that in general “tuna is one of the most contaminated species” since as a predator at the top of the chain food, it accumulates heavy metals from its prey.
As such, and because tuna is the most consumed fish, NGOs deplore the difference applied between this species and other fish regarding mercury content. “Mercury is not less toxic if it is ingested via tuna, only the mercury concentration of the food matters,” recall the associations in their survey.
Emergency measures proposed
Faced with the results of the investigation, the NGOs urge the authorities to take “emergency measures” and invite the European Commission to align the strictest maximum content it has set for other species with tuna, i.e. 0 .3 mg/kg. They also denounce the responsibility of the lobbies: “For more than thirty years, mass distribution has largely taken advantage of these distorted standards to sell astronomical quantities of mercury-contaminated tuna.” Among the other measures required, the NGOs mention “strict control” on the quality of canned products as well as the establishment of clauses to prohibit the marketing of canned goods exceeding the thresholds within the European Union.
“We demand that public authorities strengthen regulations and, without delay, that distributors only market products below the most protective threshold,” summarizes Camille Dorioz, campaigns director at Foodwatch. Until then, the NGOs recall the recommendations in force concerning the consumption of fish, namely maximum twice a week, favoring fatty fish such as salmon or sardines and those from wild fishing.