Terrified customers say they have thrown away unopened cans of tuna after a ‘terrifying’ public health warning that some cans contain a toxic metal.
Concerns were raised earlier this week after tests on 150 cans purchased in five countries found half of them contained excess levels of mercury.
The French study also found that all cans – including some bought in Britain – contained the metal, which in large quantities can damage brain health and cause cancer.
Now consumers have taken to social media to voice their concerns about the potential health risks, with some saying they have thrown away brand new cans as a result.
“I eat an average of 2 to 3 cans of tuna per week and I’m going to stop,” one Internet user wrote on Facebook.
“Then I’ll throw away my cans,” replied another. ‘I would. It says they are being removed (from supermarkets),” said a third.
Others turned to the health service for advice, noting: ‘The NHS website even advises minimizing intake of canned tuna.’
One social media commenter simply wrote: ‘It’s quite scary to read this.’
Terrified customers say they have thrown away unopened cans of tuna after a ‘terrifying’ public health warning that some cans contain a toxic metal
Research has shown that some forms of mercury in very high doses can cause the development of various types of tumors in rats and mice.
Methylmercury – the toxic metal found in canned tuna purchased from stores in France, Italy, Spain, Germany and Britain – has previously been linked to cancer.
Research has shown that some forms of mercury in very high doses can cause the development of various types of tumors in rats and mice.
But the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) found there wasn’t enough evidence to determine whether mercury could cause cancer in humans.
The metal can also damage the kidneys and nervous system, cause vision problems and increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.
And according to the World Health Organization, mercury can also cause neurological and behavioral disorders if it is inhaled, eaten or comes into contact with the skin.
Symptoms include tremors, insomnia, memory loss, headaches, and cognitive and motor impairment.
Current NHS guidelines state that pregnant women should not eat more than two tuna steaks or four cans of tuna per week due to the potential damage this can cause to their unborn baby’s brain.
Other fish also contain mercury, with some species, such as swordfish, containing particularly high amounts.
Despite this, doctors say that canned fish is fine in moderation.
The NHS advises people to eat at least two portions of fish a week to reap its nutritional benefits, including protection against heart disease and bone-boosting vitamin D.
Research has shown that the average person is unlikely to ingest enough mercury from fish to cause serious harm.