Health News

June 6, 2006

Recommendations published in the magazine Consumer Reports this week urge women to avoid eating any canned tuna while pregnant because of the risk of mercury contamination to developing fetuses.

The recommendations are stricter than the federal government's advice issued two years ago by the FDA. The FDA advised women and young children to limit the consumption of canned tuna because of contamination.

But Consumer Reports' experts say women should avoid canned tuna altogether. FDA data shows that some canned tuna may have higher mercury levels than once thought.

Canned tuna and most other fish and seafood contain some amount of toxic mercury that has worked its way through the food chain because of industrial pollution. In adequate doses, the metal can damage the developing nervous system in fetuses and children.

The FDA specifically warns against the consumption of shark, swordfish, king mackerel, or tile fish -- which have high levels of mercury -- by women who are nursing or women who are pregnant or of childbearing age; the FDA warning also applies to young children.