Understanding How Much Mercury is in a Can of Safe Catch Tuna

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the action limit for mercury in commercial seafood is 1.0 parts per million (ppm). Safe Catch, a brand known for its rigorous testing, has set significantly stricter standards for how much mercury is in a can of Safe Catch tuna, positioning its products as a safer choice for consumers.

Quick Summary

Safe Catch tests every single tuna for mercury, ensuring its Elite and Ahi products never exceed 0.1 ppm, far below the FDA's action limit. Its albacore is also tested to a limit of 0.38 ppm.

Key Points

• Low Mercury Guarantees: Safe Catch Elite and Ahi tuna products have a mercury limit of 0.1 ppm, which is 10 times stricter than the FDA's action limit. {Link: Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Safe-Catch-Lowest-Mercury-Gluten-Free-Non-GMO/dp/B08L6TS72Q}

• Rigorous Testing: The company uses proprietary technology to test every single fish for mercury, a process that is 250 times faster than standard lab methods and certified by AOAC INTERNATIONAL. {Link: Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Safe-Catch-Lowest-Mercury-Gluten-Free-Non-GMO/dp/B08L6TS72Q}

• Not Mercury-Free: Although Safe Catch's mercury levels are extremely low and consistently monitored, it is not possible to guarantee any wild-caught fish is completely mercury-free. {Link: Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Safe-Catch-Lowest-Mercury-Gluten-Free-Non-GMO/dp/B08L6TS72Q}

• Safety for Sensitive Populations: Due to their low mercury levels, Safe Catch Elite and Ahi meet Consumer Reports' criteria for low-mercury seafood, making them suitable for pregnant women and children. {Link: Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Safe-Catch-Lowest-Mercury-Gluten-Free-Non-GMO/dp/B08L6TS72Q}

• Superior Processing: The artisanal 'hand-pack raw and slow-cook' method preserves the fish's natural nutrients, including Omega-3s, which are often lost in conventional canning processes. {Link: Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Safe-Catch-Lowest-Mercury-Gluten-Free-Non-GMO/dp/B08L6TS72Q}

Safe Catch's Mercury Testing: A Step-by-Step Breakdown

Safe Catch employs a proprietary technology certified by AOAC INTERNATIONAL to test every individual fish for mercury content, unlike most brands that use batch testing. This method is 250 times faster than standard lab methods and accounts for the variation of mercury levels in individual fish. Only fish meeting strict purity standards are purchased; others are rejected. The accepted fish are hand-cut, packed raw, and slow-cooked in the can to preserve natural juices and Omega-3 fatty acids.

Safe Catch's Published Mercury Limits and Averages

Safe Catch's mercury limits are considerably lower than the FDA's 1.0 ppm action limit.

• Safe Catch Elite Wild Tuna and Ahi Wild Yellowfin Tuna: These are tested to a limit of 0.1 ppm and average 0.04 ppm.
• Safe Catch Wild Albacore Tuna: This variety has a limit of 0.38 ppm and averages 0.20 ppm.

Comparing Safe Catch Mercury Levels to Competitors and FDA Guidelines

Compared to historical FDA data (1990-2012), canned light tuna averaged 0.126 ppm and canned albacore 0.350 ppm. Safe Catch's guaranteed upper limits and averages are significantly lower than these typical levels. A detailed comparison can be found on {Link: Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Safe-Catch-Lowest-Mercury-Gluten-Free-Non-GMO/dp/B08L6TS72Q}.

Safe Catch's processing method of packing raw fish and cooking once preserves natural fish oils and Omega-3s, contrasting with conventional methods that precook and drain. {Link: Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Safe-Catch-Lowest-Mercury-Gluten-Free-Non-GMO/dp/B08L6TS72Q}

Conclusion

Safe Catch tuna consistently has significantly lower mercury levels than the FDA limit and typical canned tuna due to their unique method of testing every fish. While no wild fish is entirely mercury-free, Safe Catch offers a consistently lower mercury choice {Link: Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Safe-Catch-Lowest-Mercury-Gluten-Free-Non-GMO/dp/B08L6TS72Q}. For more information on the FDA's seafood consumption advice and mercury, visit their official page: FDA Seafood Consumption Advice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Safe Catch tuna 100% mercury-free?

No, Safe Catch tuna is not 100% mercury-free, as mercury exists naturally in all wild fish. However, the company tests every fish to ensure mercury levels are exceptionally low and well below the FDA's action limit.

What are the mercury limits for different Safe Catch tuna products?

Safe Catch Elite Wild and Ahi Wild Yellowfin tuna have a strict mercury limit of 0.1 ppm, while Safe Catch Wild Albacore tuna has a limit of 0.38 ppm.

How does Safe Catch test every single fish for mercury?

Safe Catch invented a proprietary, AOAC-certified technology that enables them to rapidly test each tuna individually for its mercury content.

Is Safe Catch tuna safe for pregnant women and children?

Yes, Safe Catch Elite and Ahi tuna meet the strict low-mercury criteria set by Consumer Reports for sensitive populations like pregnant women and children, and the brand is endorsed by the American Pregnancy Association. {Link: Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Safe-Catch-Lowest-Mercury-Gluten-Free-Non-GMO/dp/B08L6TS72Q}

How do Safe Catch's mercury levels compare to the FDA's guidelines?

The FDA's action limit for mercury in fish is 1.0 ppm. Safe Catch Elite and Ahi tuna are tested to a limit of 0.1 ppm (10x stricter), and Safe Catch Albacore is tested to a limit of 0.38 ppm (2.5x stricter).

What happens to the fish that don't meet Safe Catch's mercury standards?

Safe Catch does not buy fish that fail to meet their strict purity standards, so those fish are not used in their products.

Why does Safe Catch's processing method help retain nutrients?

By hand-packing raw tuna and slow-cooking it just once, Safe Catch retains 100% of the fish's vital oils, including Omega-3s, which are typically drained off in conventional canning processes.