Poison in tuna, “a major public health problem”, according to these associations

We are not in the habit of associating the NeozOne site with petitions of all kinds, unless it concerns Public Health, or for my part, animal causes. This petition launched by BLOOM and Foodwatch caught our attention, because it concerns one of the most consumed fish in the world : tuna. In 2021, 84.1% of French households purchased canned tuna in stores for a total of nearly 61,830 tonnes, according to the Conserves de Poissons website. Almost all of us have a can of tuna lying around in a cupboard, for a quick salad, pasta or rice. The petition warns of a major danger which concerns us all and which is not new: the presence of mercury in cans of tuna sold in Europe. Decryption.

Tests carried out which prove worrying

The stakes are high for public health! Tests carried out on cans of tuna sold in European supermarkets show that all these boxes, without exception, contain mercury. This heavy metal, particularly toxic and even neurotoxic to be precise, is found on our plates. The associations are standing up for supermarkets to remove these “tuna crumbs”, bathed in a juice containing mercury. Tuna being a large marine predator, it consumes many fish which are themselves contaminated by mercury.

Mercury, a product dangerous to health

The observation is quite simple since the World Health Organization (WHO) classifies mercury among the most dangerous chemicals for health. Remember, it was in thermometers, which have been banned for a long time! This heavy metal is considered dangerous because, consumed even in low doses, can be responsible for serious neurological disorders in adults and irreversible effects on the brain development of fetuses and young children. Additionally, it is also considered a carcinogen if consumed regularly. Are the major distribution chains hiding their faces for financial reasons, to the detriment of consumer health? This is what the associations who are fighting to ensure that this canned tuna disappears from the shelves think.

Unsuitable tolerance thresholds

According to certain associations, such as BLOOM and Foodwatch at the origin of this petition, the mercury tolerance thresholds are neither adapted nor respected for that matter. They call for stricter standards to protect health consumers, particularly young children. Tuna is often a “leader product” which has certainly seen a strong increase, but which remains very accessible financially. For associations, retailers who continue to sell contaminated tuna are becoming complicit in a major public health problem. I remind you of the link to this petition which has, as of November 8, 2024, more than 40,000 signatures. And you ? Will you support the removal of tuna from our supermarket shelves? Or will you simply ban tuna from your plates? Give us your opinion or share your experience with us. Please notify us of any errors in the text, click here to post a comment.