Consumer Report Finds "Unpredictable" Mercury Spikes in Canned Tuna

A Consumer Reports investigation out Thursday morning found "unpredictable" spikes of mercury levels in five popular canned tuna brands — and suggests that pregnant people "avoid canned tuna altogether."

"While canned tuna, especially light varieties, has relatively low average levels of mercury, individual cans can sometimes have much higher levels," Consumer Reports said.

"From can to can, mercury levels can spike in unpredictable ways that might jeopardize the health of a fetus," said James Rogers, director of Food Safety Research and Testing at Consumer Reports.

The mercury levels Consumer Reports found were within FDA standards, which say pregnant people can eat canned tuna in limited quantities. Study article.