What is the Cleanest Canned Tuna? A Guide to Low-Mercury Options

November 1, 2025 •

4 min read

According to a 2022 survey by Consumer Reports, about one-third of Americans eat canned tuna two or more times a month, but with varying mercury levels, the question remains: what is the cleanest canned tuna? Your choice of tuna species and brand can significantly impact your exposure to heavy metals.

Quick Summary

This guide reveals which species of canned tuna, like skipjack, have the lowest mercury levels and highlights brands using individual testing or sustainable fishing methods. Key details on how to select the safest and most eco-friendly canned tuna are covered.

Key Points

Choose Skipjack: Canned 'light' tuna, made from the smaller skipjack species, is the lowest-mercury option available.
Pole-and-Line Caught: This sustainable fishing method uses one hook and one line per fish, resulting in minimal bycatch and often younger, lower-mercury tuna.
Safe Catch Tests Every Tuna: The brand Safe Catch uses patented technology to test every single fish for mercury, ensuring the lowest possible levels.
Limit Albacore Consumption: Albacore or 'white' tuna is a larger species and contains significantly more mercury than light tuna, so consume it in moderation.
Moderation is Key: Even with cleaner options, experts recommend consuming tuna in moderation, especially for vulnerable populations like pregnant women and children.

Understanding Mercury Levels in Canned Tuna

Mercury contamination is a primary concern for consumers seeking the cleanest canned tuna. This heavy metal accumulates in fish, particularly larger, older species, which sit higher on the marine food chain. The levels can vary significantly depending on the tuna species and the brand's sourcing and testing practices.

The Mercury Hierarchy: Skipjack vs. Albacore

There are two main types of canned tuna available in most stores: 'light' tuna and albacore. Your first line of defense in choosing a cleaner option is to understand the difference. Canned 'light' tuna is almost always made from skipjack, a smaller, younger species of tuna that is naturally lower in mercury. In contrast, canned albacore, also known as 'white' tuna, comes from a larger species and contains, on average, more than three times the amount of mercury as canned light tuna. Choosing skipjack is a simple way to significantly reduce your mercury intake.

Why Fishing Method Matters

The way tuna is caught can also contribute to its cleanliness and sustainability. Environmentally harmful fishing methods, such as longline fishing, can indiscriminately harm other marine life, including sharks, sea turtles, and seabirds. A cleaner, more sustainable method is pole-and-line caught fishing. This method catches tuna individually and near the surface, typically targeting smaller, younger, and therefore lower-mercury fish. The Monterey Bay Aquarium's Seafood Watch program endorses pole-and-line fishing for its minimal environmental impact.

Leading Brands and Their Claims

Some brands have made it their mission to provide cleaner canned tuna through rigorous testing and sustainable practices. Here's a look at some of the most notable:

Safe Catch: This brand is unique in that it tests every single tuna for mercury, ensuring the levels remain well below the FDA's action limit. Their Elite Wild Tuna is tested to a limit ten times stricter than the FDA's. They use a proprietary technology to screen each fish individually before canning.
Wild Planet: A long-time leader in sustainable seafood, Wild Planet sources smaller, younger migratory tuna caught near the ocean's surface using pole-and-line and troll methods. This practice naturally results in lower mercury levels. Their canned skipjack tuna has mercury levels low enough to be considered a 'Best Choice' by the EPA.
American Tuna: Founded by American fishing families, this brand prides itself on using environmentally friendly, traceable, one-by-one fishing methods. They consistently receive high ratings for sustainability and ethics from environmental groups.
365 by Whole Foods Market: The Albacore Wild Tuna from this store brand is 100% pole-and-line caught and certified by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) for sustainability.

Comparison of Tuna Types

To help you decide what is the cleanest canned tuna for your needs, here is a comparison of some popular options:


Feature	Skipjack / Light Tuna	Albacore / White Tuna	Safe Catch Elite Tuna	Wild Planet Skipjack
Mercury Content	Low	High (3x+ Light Tuna)	Lowest of any brand	Naturally low (small, young fish)
Tuna Species	Katsuwonus pelamis	Thunnus alalunga	Skipjack (Katsuwonus pelamis)	Skipjack (Katsuwonus pelamis)
Fishing Method	Varies (often nets)	Varies (often nets)	Sustainable wild-caught (method varies)	Pole-and-line or troll
Testing Method	Random sampling	Random sampling	Every single fish tested	Annual third-party testing
Best For	Casual, budget-friendly use	Occasional consumption	Maximum mercury reduction	Low-mercury, sustainable choice

What to Look For When Buying Canned Tuna

To ensure you're getting the cleanest canned tuna, follow these steps when shopping:

Check the species: Always look for skipjack or canned light tuna on the label. This is the single most effective way to reduce mercury intake.
Look for pole-and-line: If sustainability is important, prioritize brands that explicitly state they use pole-and-line or troll-caught methods.
Seek mercury testing claims: For the absolute lowest mercury levels, choose brands like Safe Catch that individually test each fish.
Prioritize packing liquid: Water-packed tuna is generally lower in calories and fat, but draining it does not reduce mercury levels. Tuna packed in olive oil can offer a richer flavor and more omega-3s.
Look for certifications: Certifications from organizations like the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) indicate a commitment to sustainable practices.

Conclusion: Making the Right Choice

Choosing the cleanest canned tuna comes down to prioritizing low mercury and sustainable sourcing. While no tuna is completely mercury-free, opting for smaller, younger species like skipjack and supporting brands with transparent testing and responsible fishing methods is the best strategy. Safe Catch offers a unique individual testing process for maximum mercury reduction, while Wild Planet provides a strong, sustainably sourced, lower-mercury product. Remember to look for skipjack and pole-and-line caught on the label for a healthier, more eco-friendly option. By making informed decisions, you can continue to enjoy the nutritional benefits of canned tuna with minimal risk.

For more detailed guidance on sustainable seafood, consult the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch Guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

The species with the least mercury is skipjack, which is typically labeled as 'canned light' tuna. It is a smaller, younger fish and accumulates less mercury than albacore.

Safe Catch explicitly tests every tuna for mercury, guaranteeing the lowest mercury level of any brand. Wild Planet focuses on sustainable sourcing of smaller, lower-mercury fish, but Safe Catch's individual testing provides greater assurance of lower levels.

The FDA generally recommends 2-3 servings of lower-mercury fish per week, such as canned light tuna. However, even for healthy adults, consuming albacore tuna should be limited to about one serving per week due to its higher mercury content.

Yes, 'pole-and-line caught' refers to a fishing method that catches tuna individually, reducing bycatch of other marine life and generally targeting smaller, younger tuna, which have lower mercury levels.

No, mercury is stored in the tuna's muscle tissue, not the packing liquid. Draining oil or water will not significantly reduce the mercury content of the fish.

For pregnant women and children, it is recommended to stick to canned light (skipjack) tuna and limit consumption to 2-3 servings per week. The FDA advises pregnant women to avoid canned albacore due to its higher mercury levels.

Testing every fish, a practice used by brands like Safe Catch, ensures that each individual fish meets a strict mercury limit before being processed. This is different from the industry standard of random sampling and provides greater consumer confidence.