Consumer Reports Warns Pregnant Women About Tuna
Consumer Reports is advising pregnant women to avoid eating tuna, as the mercury content in the fish could potentially harm the nervous system of a developing fetus.
The advisory challenges government recommendations that it’s safe for pregnant women to eat small amounts of the fish. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) doesn’t advise pregnant women to avoid tuna consumption, but says they should have no more than 12 ounces per week. And when choosing which fish to eat, pregnant women should limit albacore tuna (white tuna) or tuna steak to no more than 6 ounces per week, the FDA says. Albacore tuna is thought to contain more mercury than canned light tuna.
Consumer Reports said that in an analysis of FDA data, it found that 6% of the cans of light tuna had as much mercury, and sometimes more than twice as much, as cans of albacore. But the FDA is maintaining its recommendations on fish consumption for pregnant women.
Mercury, which occurs naturally in the environment, can also be released into the air through industrial pollution and can accumulate in streams and oceans, where it turns into methylmercury. The methylmercury builds up in fish, especially those that eat other fish.
It can be confusing when recommendations from trusted sources differ. But since this analysis indicates that amounts of mercury in tuna may be higher than previously reported, some women may want to eliminate tuna from their diet while pregnant or when trying to become pregnant.
Pregnant women also should avoid eating shark, swordfish, tilefish, and king mackerel, as those fish have high levels of mercury. But other types of seafood are safe to eat. Salmon, shrimp, clams, and tilapia are healthy sources of protein and are rich in heart-protecting omega-3 fatty acids that pregnant women need.
Talk with your doctor about how these recommendations relate to your health, and about any risks that might be unique to your pregnancy.
What it means to you. Some types of fish may contain high levels of mercury, which can cause damage to the developing nervous system of a fetus, and should not be eaten at all by pregnant women, women who may become pregnant, nursing mothers, and young children. The FDA recommends that pregnant women eat no more than 6 ounces a week of albacore (or white) tuna or tuna steaks because they are higher in mercury than canned light tuna.
And since a Consumer Reports analysis indicates that amounts of mercury in light tuna may be higher than previously reported, some women may want to eliminate all tuna from their diet while pregnant or when trying to become pregnant. If you have any questions, talk with your doctor.
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