Light tuna contains lower mercury levels

Those who are concerned about the mercury implications of their canned tuna habit may wish to switch to light tuna.

Recent research indicates that canned light tuna contains significantly less mercury than levels found in canned white or albacore tuna, according to a joint federal advisory issued by the U.S. Health and Human Services and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Light tuna typically comprises yellowfin, bluefin and/or skipjack tunas, which are smaller in size than albacore tuna. Because large fish tend to prey upon smaller fish, the mercury content is compounded as the fish grows. Hence, the larger the fish, the higher the mercury content.