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Mercury from natural processes and human activities can enter aquatic environments, where some mercury can be converted into methylmercury in water or sediment. Fish take up methylmercury through the food they eat, and larger, longer-lived predatory fish tend to accumulate more over time. Tuna species differ in size and lifespan, so FDA advice assigns them different mercury categories.
That means “tuna” is not one mercury category: canned light tuna, albacore or white tuna, yellowfin, and bigeye have different FDA advice categories. Those categories guide choices for people covered by FDA/EPA fish advice; they do not predict the exact mercury level in an individual fish or can.
Key takeaways
- Mercury has natural and human sources and can enter aquatic environments.
- Some mercury can be converted into methylmercury in water or sediment; fish take it up through their food.
- Larger, longer-lived predatory fish tend to accumulate more methylmercury, but levels vary among individual fish.
- FDA lists canned light tuna, including skipjack, as a Best Choice; albacore or white and yellowfin as Good Choices; and bigeye as a Choice to Avoid for people covered by the advice.
- FDA’s technical table reports mean mercury concentrations of 0.13 ppm for canned light tuna, 0.35 ppm for canned albacore/white and yellowfin, and 0.69 ppm for bigeye. These are group means, not measurements of a specific can or fish.
- Cleaning or cooking fish does not reduce its mercury because mercury is found throughout the tissue.
How does mercury get into tuna fish?
Mercury can enter aquatic environments from natural processes and human activities. Some mercury in water or sediment can be converted into methylmercury. Fish absorb methylmercury from the food they eat, and it tends to build up more in some fish, especially larger fish that eat other fish and live longer. Tuna species vary in size and lifespan, so their mercury levels differ.
How does mercury get into the ocean?
Mercury can enter aquatic environments from natural sources, including volcanic activity and geological weathering, and from human activities such as fossil-fuel combustion, manufacturing, and small-scale gold mining. Mercury does not originate in tuna, and canning does not create the mercury found in the fish. The FDA’s information on mercury in food discusses sources and fish data.
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How is mercury converted into methylmercury?
Some mercury in aquatic water or sediment can be converted into methylmercury. Methylmercury is the form relevant to fish-consumption guidance because fish take it up through their food. The FDA/EPA fish-advice questions and answers explain that fish absorb methylmercury from the food they eat.
What is the difference between bioaccumulation and biomagnification?
Bioaccumulation describes a contaminant building up within an individual organism over time. A fish that lives longer may have more time to take in and retain methylmercury.
Biomagnification describes the tendency for contaminant concentrations to increase higher in a food chain. Predatory fish eat other organisms that may contain methylmercury, contributing to the tendency for larger, longer-lived predators to have more.
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These are general tendencies, not a way to predict an exact concentration in a particular tuna. Size, lifespan, diet, and location can all be relevant, and fish of the same species can vary.
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Why do some tuna have more mercury than others?
Tuna types differ in size and lifespan, and larger, longer-lived predators tend to accumulate more methylmercury. FDA also notes that fish of the same species can vary by geographic location. The categories below are advice for covered groups, while the technical means summarize measured commercial fish; neither guarantees the level in an individual fish or product.
| Tuna type | FDA/EPA advice category | FDA technical mean |
|---|---|---|
| Canned light tuna, including skipjack | Best Choice | 0.13 ppm |
| Albacore or white tuna | Good Choice | 0.35 ppm for canned albacore/white |
| Yellowfin tuna | Good Choice | 0.35 ppm |
| Bigeye tuna | Choice to Avoid | 0.69 ppm |
The advice categories and technical means come from the FDA’s Advice about Eating Fish and its technical information. The means are group figures, not lot-specific tests or promises about an individual serving.
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Is canned tuna high in mercury?
Canned tuna is not one uniform mercury category. FDA lists canned light tuna, including skipjack, as a Best Choice and albacore or white tuna as a Good Choice for people covered by its advice. Bigeye is a Choice to Avoid. Check the type of tuna rather than treating every product labeled “tuna” as equivalent.
FDA’s technical table reports mean mercury concentrations of 0.13 ppm for canned light tuna and 0.35 ppm for canned albacore/white tuna. These figures summarize commercial samples and do not establish the level in a particular can. See the FDA fish advice and technical information.
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For mercury advice, canned light tuna is in a lower category than albacore or white tuna: FDA lists light tuna as a Best Choice and albacore/white tuna as a Good Choice for covered groups. FDA’s technical table reports different group means, but those averages do not determine the mercury content of any specific can.
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- HIGH IN PROTEIN: The perfect high protein tuna for your active, healthy lifestyle; these non-GMO tuna cans feature heart-healthy omega-3s, vitamins, and minerals; with 23 grams of lean protein, it’s perfect for keto, paleo, and Mediterranean diets
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| Comparison | Canned light tuna | Albacore or white tuna |
|---|---|---|
| FDA/EPA category | Best Choice | Good Choice |
| FDA technical mean | 0.13 ppm | 0.35 ppm for canned albacore/white |
| How to interpret it | Group mean; not a specific can test | Group mean; not a specific can test |
How often can I eat canned tuna?
FDA/EPA fish advice is specifically for people who might become pregnant, are pregnant or breastfeeding, and children ages 1–11. For the covered adults, it recommends 2–3 servings a week from the Best Choices, with variety. Check the current FDA fish chart for the applicable advice and categories rather than applying this guidance to everyone or assuming it means eating tuna at every meal.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Can cooking tuna remove mercury?
No. FDA states: “Mercury is found throughout the tissue in fish, so cleaning or cooking will not reduce the amount of mercury.” Trimming, rinsing, or cooking should not be treated as ways to remove mercury. See the FDA/EPA advice questions and answers.
What is the practical way to reduce mercury exposure from tuna?
Use the FDA/EPA categories and advice that apply to you, choose a variety of fish, and do not assume all tuna types are equivalent or mercury-free. The advice is intended for specific covered groups and emphasizes variety among choices.
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- LEAN PROTEIN SNACK: Each 5 oz can is a natural source of Omega 3s and delivers 20g protein and 90 calories, making this tuna fish can perfect for Mediterranean, Weight Watchers, Paleo and Keto diets and are gluten free and soy free
- QUALITY TUNA: Our tuna fish canned in water is a dependable pantry staple, delivering consistent taste and performance for quick meals and classic tuna recipes
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- Check whether the tuna is light, albacore/white, yellowfin, or bigeye.
- Use the current FDA advice category for the fish type and the population it covers.
- Choose a variety of fish rather than relying on one type repeatedly.
- Do not rely on cleaning or cooking to reduce mercury.
FAQ
How does mercury get into tuna fish?
Mercury enters aquatic environments from natural and human sources. Some can be converted into methylmercury, which fish take up through the food they eat.
Is there methylmercury in all fish?
Fish types vary in mercury levels. FDA’s advice places different tuna types in different categories, and fish of the same species can also vary.
Is light tuna safer than albacore?
For the FDA/EPA advice categories, canned light tuna is a Best Choice and albacore or white tuna is a Good Choice for covered groups. Group means do not establish the level in a particular can.
Can cleaning or cooking fish reduce mercury?
No. FDA says mercury is found throughout fish tissue, so cleaning or cooking will not reduce the amount.
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For covered adults, FDA/EPA advice recommends 2–3 servings a week from Best Choices, with variety. Consult the current FDA chart for the advice applicable to your situation.
The Bottom Line
Mercury can enter aquatic environments, be converted into methylmercury, and reach fish through their food. Larger, longer-lived predatory fish tend to accumulate more, but levels vary. FDA distinguishes tuna types in its advice, and cooking or cleaning does not remove mercury from fish tissue.
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