Attorney General’s Still Takes Tuna To Court Despite New Harvard Researchff

A new study by researchers at the Harvard Center for Risk Analysis finds that the benefits of eating seafood far outweigh any risk from naturally occurring mercury, and that reducing seafood consumption due to unfounded concerns would be an unhealthy choice.

The U.S. Tuna Foundation believes the findings of the study place added importance to a trial getting underway today in San Francisco Superior Court. California Attorney General Bill Lockyer has filed suit against three major canned tuna producers in an attempt to force them to place unscientific Proposition 65 warning labels on canned tuna products even though canned tuna is proven safe and is rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 has been shown by numerous studies to have benefits for people of all ages.

”Science has consistently shown the overwhelming benefits of canned tuna, especially for the development of young children,” said David Burney, Executive Director of the U.S. Tuna Foundation. “These studies give conclusive evidence that placing unscientific warnings would cause irreversible harm to Californians by discouraging a food that is not only safe, but extremely healthy -- and affordable as well.”

The Harvard findings are consistent with federal guidelines encouraging seafood consumption by everyone for its substantial benefits. To help a narrowly defined population group -- women who are pregnant, nursing or who may become pregnant -- choose fish that are low in mercury, FDA and EPA identified five commonly eaten fish with very low mercury levels: shrimp, salmon, Pollock, catfish and canned light tuna. According to the government's advisory, pregnant and nursing women, women who might become pregnant and young children should eat up to 12 ounces a week of these types of fish. The government advisory also tells these special groups that they can safely eat up to six ounces a week of canned albacore tuna.

In their study, Harvard researchers were able to quantify the number of “quality adjusted life years” gained or lost due to shifts in fish consumption. Researchers took into account scientific studies regarding seafood, mercury and omega-3 fatty acids before concluding that seafood should be encouraged as part of a healthy diet. In addition to this study, there is a growing body of evidence that the omega-3 fatty acids in fish are associated with optimal brain function and cognition, improved eye and skin health, and protection against certain cancers.

Canned tuna does not violate Proposition 65 standards and Lockyer’s suit is the first of its type to invoke Proposition 65 on a scientifically-proven safe and healthy food. More information about canned tuna and its health benefits is available at the U.S. Tuna Foundation Web site.