Non-profit organizations Foodwatch and Bloom Association are urging the European Commission to strengthen regulations regarding the sale and advertising of tuna products that contain elevated mercury levels.
The organizations have proposed establishing a “conservative measure” for mercury content in both fresh and canned tuna, setting the new limit at 0.3mg per kg. Presently, the EU law permits a mercury threshold of 1.0mg/kg for tuna, whereas for other fish species such as cod, the limit is significantly lower, at 0.3mg/kg.
In addition, Bloom and Foodwatch are calling for EU member states to “activate a safeguard clause” to prevent the sale and promotion of tuna products that surpass the 0.3mg/kg mercury level. They have also requested that governments eliminate all tuna products from schools, nurseries, maternity wards, hospitals, and care facilities.
This push for tighter regulations stems from a recent investigation by Bloom, which revealed that all 148 tuna products tested in Europe were contaminated with mercury. Alarmingly, nearly 60% (57%) of the examined cans contained mercury levels exceeding the proposed 0.3mg/kg limit. The highest concentration found was in a Petit Navire brand can sold in Carrefour, France, which contained an alarming 3.9mg/kg of mercury. Additional high-mercury products identified included a Carrefour private label tuna sold in Spain at 2.5mg/kg and a Rio Mare product sold in Germany containing 1.2mg/kg.
Julie Guterman, a researcher and lead author of the Bloom study, emphasized, “We should not talk about ‘health thresholds’ for mercury in seafood, but about ‘contamination thresholds.’” She criticized large retailers for exploiting the existing regulatory framework to sell significantly contaminated tuna over the past three decades.
Following these findings, NGOs are jointly appealing to major supermarkets, including Carrefour, Les Mousquetaires, Aldi, Lidl, Rewe, Mercadona, and Esselunga, demanding their cooperation. The petition urges retailers to remove products with mercury levels exceeding 0.3mg/kg from shelves and to stop advertising such items. Furthermore, they advocate for greater transparency in consumer information regarding mercury risks through clear labeling and online communications.
Camille Dorioz, campaign director at Foodwatch, remarked, “With a much too lax tolerance of mercury levels in tuna, widely consumed in France, and the absence of clear and effective communication on the dangers of this substance, consumers may be exposed to a significant risk to their health.” She urged public authorities to enhance regulations and enforce the sale of products only below the most protective threshold.
In response to the NGOs’ demands, a spokesperson for the Commission’s health and food safety department stated, “Ensuring the highest food safety standards for EU citizens is a key priority for the Commission.” They reiterated that decisions regarding maximum mercury levels are firmly based on scientific evidence, determined through rigorous assessments by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).
The spokesperson elaborated that guidelines are established following comprehensive evaluations of actual mercury occurrences in various fish species, which include the principle of reducing exposure as much as reasonably achievable.
Despite the recent data confirming no significant margin to further lower the existing maximum level, the spokesperson emphasized that monitoring continues to ensure food safety without disrupting supply.
Each species has distinct maximum levels reflecting its unique consumption and contamination patterns.
This serious issue is particularly relevant for stakeholders in the food and beverage industry, who must navigate ongoing changes in consumer awareness and regulatory requirements. As businesses adapt to evolving food and drink consumer trends, proactive measures in product safety can help mitigate risks and support public health initiatives.
