Information Update – Testing for Mercury in Canned Tuna

• Fact Sheet
• Update - Health Canada advises specific groups to limit their consumption of canned albacore tuna

Canada is a world leader when it comes to monitoring and limiting exposure to mercury.  As part of its mandate of ensuring a safe food supply for Canadians, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is responsible for monitoring and enforcing chemical contaminant standards, including mercury levels in canned albacore tuna, set by the Government of Canada.

A national news report that aired February 19-20, 2007, reported that 8 out of 60 individual cans of albacore tuna sampled from the retail market exceeded the Government of Canada's guidelines for mercury. After receiving the CBC information, the CFIA took immediate action to investigate the situation.

Follow-up Actions

The CFIA has determined that the CBC results do not represent a health risk which means that this canned albacore tuna does not need to be recalled. 

Through its investigation, the CFIA determined that 5 of the 60 cans tested (8%) exceeded the standard of 0.5ppm.  For each sample that exceeded the standard, the CFIA has contacted the importer and is working with them to ensure that incoming shipments of canned albacore tuna from the relevant exporters are tested.  This sampling frequency will continue until the CFIA is confident that the lots contain compliant products.  These importers have also contacted their suppliers to initiate a review of the controls at their suppliers. 

Additionally, the CFIA is reminding the governments of the top exporting countries and domestic Canadian importers of the need to ensure that canned tuna meets Canadian requirements.

On February 19, 2007, Health Canada issued new advice on the consumption of canned albacore tuna.  Based on this new advice, the CFIA has initiated increased testing of canned albacore tuna before products reach the retail level to verify that appropriate import controls are in place.

All importers have been informed of Health Canada's new advisory and reminded of their responsibility to work with their suppliers to ensure that canned albacore tuna meets all Canadian requirements.