Pregnant women warned of tuna risk

TUNA lovers have been warned to can their enthusiasm for fresh portions of the popular fish if they are expectant mums, breast-feeding or planning a pregnancy.

The advice to stick to just one fresh tuna steak or two eight-ounce portions of canned tuna per week comes as food safety experts warn mercury levels from some species could build up high enough to damage unborn babies and young children.

The warning from the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) applies more stringently to shark, swordfish and marlin, which the authority is advising children and all women of child-bearing age to avoid completely.

According to Bord Íascaigh Mhara, the sea fisheries board, these species, together with fresh tuna, only account for 1.1% of the Irish market while canned tuna makes up 7% so the FSAI is stressing there are plenty other fish in the sea for seafood lovers to enjoy.

“The warning is precautionary and it only applies to these few species which are very large, long-living predatory fish at the top end of the food chain,” explained Dr Wayne Anderson, acting director of Food Science and Standards.

“Mercury in tiny amounts is present in a variety of fish but these particular species live a long time and eat a lot of other fish so the concentration of mercury builds up over time.

“The vast majority of fish eaten here is white fish, like cod and haddock, and other species like salmon and trout, and they are absolutely fine for everyone to eat.” Dr Anderson added that other fish regarded as predatory, such as mackerel, were also completely safe.

“They are too small to cause any concern. For the same reason we are saying that it’s okay to eat two 8oz tins of tuna or one 8oz fresh tuna steak as they use smaller, younger fish for cans.”

Mercury is a metal found naturally in the earth and seabed but normal levels in the sea can increase through the activities of mining, industry and agriculture. Fish absorb it in the form of the chemical, methylmercury, and this in turn is transferred to humans through eating seafood.

Exceeding the safe limit could result in damage to the nervous system, particularly in the developing systems of unborn babies and children.

Mercury monitoring has been carried out at all major Irish fishing ports for the past 10 years and the mercury levels detected have remained well within safe limits but these catches rarely include the deep water species specified in yesterday’s warning which followed a study carried out by the European Food Safety Authority.

The warning on tuna does not apply to men or to women past child-bearing age although these groups are being advised to restrict their consumption of shark, swordfish and marlin to one portion per week.