Tag: Tuna species

Tuna contains mercury, a heavy metal that enters the ocean through natural and human activities. The aim is not to find mercury-free tuna, which is impossible, but to identify tuna with the lowest mercury levels for safer consumption. The following information explains how to know if tuna is mercury free and what to do.

Almost all tuna sold globally is initially caught from the wild, with less than 1% originating from true captive farming operations. This distinction is critical in understanding the differences between wild, ranched, and farmed tuna.

According to StarKist's own FAQ, all of its canned and pouched tuna products are made from wild-caught tuna, with no farm-raised fish used. This confirms that what you find in a StarKist can or pouch is, in fact, actual tuna, but the specific species and preparation methods vary depending on the product line.

According to the FDA, eating fish and seafood as part of a healthy diet is recommended for most adults. Given this, many wonder: is wild caught tuna healthy to eat? The answer is generally yes, but it comes with important considerations regarding mercury levels, species, and overall consumption patterns.

StarKist, founded in 1917, has become one of the most recognizable brands for shelf-stable seafood, including canned tuna. Knowing that a can contains 'tuna' isn't always enough for consumers, many of whom want to know the specific species inside.

Methylmercury, the toxic form of mercury found in fish, accumulates through the food chain, with predatory species like tuna often having higher levels. Given that a third of Americans eat canned tuna multiple times a month, understanding how harmful is mercury in tuna is essential for maintaining good health.

Over 70% of the US canned tuna market is composed of skipjack tuna, commonly sold as "chunk light". This fact highlights the significant role skipjack plays, but what is the difference between skipjack and regular tuna, and how do other species like albacore compare?

Tuna are some of the fastest and most highly migratory fish in the world's oceans, with certain species, like the albacore, capable of swimming over 50 miles per hour. But what group does tuna belong to? The answer lies within the classification of bony fishes, specifically as a member of the Scombridae family, also known as the mackerel family.

Tuna is one of the world's most consumed fish, but its classification is often misunderstood. The question, 'what category does tuna fall under?', leads us to its proper scientific placement as a member of the mackerel family and the Thunnini tribe.

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), nearly all fish and shellfish contain traces of methylmercury, meaning it is inaccurate to assume only canned products carry this risk. The key difference in mercury exposure from tuna, whether fresh or canned, lies in the species and size of the fish, which directly correlates to the level of bioaccumulation.