Understanding the Risks: Mercury and Sustainability
When selecting canned tuna, the primary concerns are mercury contamination and unsustainable fishing practices. Mercury is a naturally occurring element that is also released into the environment by human activities, such as burning fossil fuels. This heavy metal accumulates in the food chain, with larger, older fish containing higher levels. For tuna, this means species like albacore generally have more mercury than smaller, younger skipjack varieties. Excessive mercury exposure can cause neurological issues in adults and is especially dangerous for a developing fetus.
Beyond mercury, the environmental impact of tuna fishing is a major consideration. Practices like long-line fishing can have high levels of bycatch, catching and harming unintended species like sharks, turtles, and seabirds. In contrast, more sustainable methods like pole-and-line or troll-caught fishing minimize bycatch and support healthier ocean ecosystems.
Leading the Way: Brands Known for Safety and Sustainability
Safe Catch
Safe Catch has built its brand on the promise of the lowest mercury levels, testing every single fish for its mercury concentration. The company uses proprietary technology to test each tuna to a strict mercury limit, which is 10 times lower than the FDA's action limit for their Elite Wild Tuna. The brand's focus on transparency and rigorous testing has earned it endorsements from organizations like the American Pregnancy Association, making it a strong choice for those most concerned about mercury exposure.
Wild Planet
Wild Planet is another brand highly regarded for its commitment to both sustainability and low mercury content. The company sources only pole-and-line or troll-caught tuna, which minimizes bycatch by targeting smaller, younger fish. These smaller tuna naturally have lower mercury levels than their larger, older counterparts. The brand provides detailed information about its sourcing practices and consistently performs third-party testing to verify its low mercury claims.
American Tuna
This brand focuses on sustainable, traceable, and smaller-scale pole-and-line caught albacore tuna. By catching fish one at a time, American Tuna drastically reduces bycatch. The company's commitment to supporting local fishing communities and ensuring quality makes it a great choice for those seeking both environmental responsibility and premium taste.
Other Brands and Considerations
While brands like Bumble Bee and StarKist have committed to sourcing tuna sustainably, their mercury testing protocols are less strict than those of specialized brands. Consumer Reports testing has highlighted that mercury levels in light tuna from brands like Bumble Bee and StarKist generally fall within acceptable limits for most adults, though not always for pregnant people or children. Crucially, mercury levels can vary significantly even within the same brand and type of tuna, an issue that brands like Safe Catch aim to address with their individual testing.
Comparison of Top Tuna Brands
| Feature | Safe Catch | Wild Planet | American Tuna | Bumble Bee/StarKist | Best For... |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mercury Testing | Tests every single fish for mercury and publishes strict limits. | Conducts annual third-party testing to verify low mercury content. | Relies on sourcing smaller, younger albacore that naturally have lower mercury. | Monitors for mercury to meet FDA standards; random spikes found in some cans. | Lowest possible mercury assurance |
| Fishing Method | Sources sustainably-caught, wild fish, often using pole-and-line or troll methods. | Exclusively uses pole-and-line or troll-caught methods, minimizing bycatch. | Utilizes pole-and-line catch methods, with MSC certification on some products. | Committed to sustainably-sourced tuna, including MSC certified. | Highest sustainability practices |
| Tuna Type | Offers skipjack (Elite), yellowfin, and albacore varieties. | Offers skipjack and albacore varieties, often sourcing smaller, younger fish. | Specializes in wild albacore, caught using one-by-one methods. | Widely available skipjack (light) and albacore. | Specific dietary needs |
| Traceability | Provides detailed information about its testing and sourcing. | Ensures traceability and provides information on sourcing via its website. | Emphasizes traceability and community support. | Increased transparency through sustainability initiatives and MSC certification. | Highest traceability and information |
Making an Informed Decision
Ultimately, selecting the safest tuna involves considering your priorities. If minimizing mercury is the single most important factor, a brand like Safe Catch offers the most rigorous testing protocol. For those who also prioritize a low environmental impact from fishing, Wild Planet's commitment to pole-and-line and troll-caught methods is a top contender.
Another crucial takeaway is to understand the different types of tuna. Choosing light or skipjack tuna over albacore is a simple way to significantly reduce mercury intake, as these smaller species naturally contain less of the heavy metal. Many conventional brands, like Bumble Bee and StarKist, offer light tuna varieties that provide a good balance of affordability and lower mercury risk for most consumers, though some uncertainty regarding can-to-can variation remains.
Conclusion
While a definitive single "safest" brand of tuna is complex due to individual can variability, several brands offer demonstrably safer options based on their sourcing, testing, and fishing methods. Safe Catch provides the most stringent individual mercury testing, Wild Planet focuses on sustainable, low-impact fishing for lower-mercury fish, and American Tuna emphasizes traceability and quality in its smaller-scale operations. Consumers can make a more informed and safer choice by prioritizing brands that use smaller species like skipjack and employ pole-and-line or troll-caught methods. By understanding the factors that influence tuna safety, from species choice to fishing methods, consumers can confidently select a product that aligns with their health and environmental values.
