Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) Bloom and Foodwatch are warning about the health hazards of the widespread mercury contamination that has been found in tuna cans in Europe The NGOs made the announcement in a press statement on the 29th of October, Tuesday. The environmental organization Bloom asserts there is more than 1 of two cans; mercury content is above the limit of maximum for other fish species, i.e. 0.3 mg/kg.
Mercury mercury is “one of the ten substances of greatest concern in the world, like asbestos or arsenic” because its methylmercury derivative has been identified as “possibly carcinogenic by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)” The two organizations explain that are requesting big retailers and public officials to adopt emergency steps.
A Sad Record for a Petit Navire Box
Tests conducted by Bloom discovered that all of the thon en conserve cans examined were contaminated by mercury. In some cases, the mercury levels were nearly four times higher than that of the European standard. The cans were bought from France, Germany, England, Spain and Italy. In more than half of the cans there was a mercury level greater than what is allowed by other fish. For certain fish, like cod or pollack the mercury content should not be more than 0.3 mg/kg. In the case of tuna, it is higher and should not exceed 1 mg/kg for tuna. This distinction is frequently criticized by non-governmental organizations. “This metal is a powerful neurotoxin: small doses consumed regularly are enough to cause serious disorders of neuronal development in children and attack the brain function of adults. “
The cans at issue are from various European countries The highest amount of mercury was found in a tuna jar from the French company called Petit Navire, purchased in France (up to 3.9 mg of mercury per kilogram of tuna). Then came Carrefour products bought from Spain (up up to 2.5 mg of mercury per kilogram of tuna) Then As do Mar products, bought through Italy (up to 1.5 mg mercury/kg).
Ban Tuna From Hospitals, Nurseries, Pregnant Hospitals, and Maternity
On the 24th of October, on a Thursday On Thursday, October 24, the French National Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health Safety (ANSES) also issued an advisory on their website. “In high doses, methylmercury is toxic to the human central nervous system, particularly during in-utero development and early childhood. ” The agency suggests eating fish only two times a week, allowing diversification of the species of fish consumed, and limiting “wild predators” like tuna. According to organizations, tuna is still one of the “most consumed” fish in Europe. ANSES reiterates its advice to women who are pregnant: Avoid eating fish, such as those that are known to be the most polluted, and tuna, as well as sea bream, skate, or monkfish.
Bloom and Foodwatch are therefore soliciting the public authorities to set the restriction to 0.3 mg of mercury per kg of tuna, as with other fish, to stop the commercialization of products from tuna with a higher than 0.3 mg/kg of mercury within their territory as well as to ban tuna from daycare facilities as well as hospitals, maternity wards, as well as retirement homes and schools’ canteens. Both NGOs have started a petition asking the huge corporations of the large-scale distribution industry to establish “stricter controls” to stop the promotion of tuna products and to educate consumers about the health risks that are linked to the food chain’s contamination by mercury.