SAN FRANCISCO -- The state of California is suing three of the nation's biggest canned tuna companies, alleging they failed to warn consumers about excessive mercury in their products.
The lawsuit says tests of the companies' albacore and light tuna products found mercury levels that -- by state law -- require warnings to consumers. The same testing showed canned albacore contained significantly higher amounts of mercury than canned light.
Research has shown that excessive exposure to mercury can cause serious health problems, especially in pregnant women and children.
"This is a crucial public health issue," Attorney General Bill Lockyer said. "We're not trying to eliminate tuna from people's diets. We're trying to enforce the law and protect the health and safety of California women and children."
The lawsuit seeks civil penalties and a halt in sales in California unless the companies provide warning labels or signs posted in grocery aisles.
The defendants are Tri-Union Seafoods, maker of Chicken of the Sea; Del Monte, maker of Starkist; and Bumble Bee Seafoods, maker of Bumble Bee.
The U.S. Tuna Foundation says it will prove in court that its products are safe.
"We believe that Californians have nothing to gain and much to lose by the Attorney General's action. Tuna is a safe and healthy food," said David Burney, of the U.S. Tuna Foundation. "This suit is not grounded in science and will needlessly scare consumers away from affordable foods that are good for them."
Fish and seafood are generally good sources of nutrients and can be key components of a balanced diet. But public concern has focused on fish, including canned tuna, as a source of mercury exposure.
In March 2004, after conducting testing, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Food and Drug Administration advised pregnant and nursing women, women who may become pregnant and young children to limit their consumption of canned albacore tuna to 6 ounces per week. The advisory said the same groups should eat no more than 12 ounces of canned light tuna and other fish that are lower in mercury.
http://www.thebostonchannel.com/health/3446220/detail.html
The lawsuit says tests of the companies' albacore and light tuna products found mercury levels that -- by state law -- require warnings to consumers. The same testing showed canned albacore contained significantly higher amounts of mercury than canned light.
Research has shown that excessive exposure to mercury can cause serious health problems, especially in pregnant women and children.
"This is a crucial public health issue," Attorney General Bill Lockyer said. "We're not trying to eliminate tuna from people's diets. We're trying to enforce the law and protect the health and safety of California women and children."
The lawsuit seeks civil penalties and a halt in sales in California unless the companies provide warning labels or signs posted in grocery aisles.
The defendants are Tri-Union Seafoods, maker of Chicken of the Sea; Del Monte, maker of Starkist; and Bumble Bee Seafoods, maker of Bumble Bee.
The U.S. Tuna Foundation says it will prove in court that its products are safe.
"We believe that Californians have nothing to gain and much to lose by the Attorney General's action. Tuna is a safe and healthy food," said David Burney, of the U.S. Tuna Foundation. "This suit is not grounded in science and will needlessly scare consumers away from affordable foods that are good for them."
Fish and seafood are generally good sources of nutrients and can be key components of a balanced diet. But public concern has focused on fish, including canned tuna, as a source of mercury exposure.
In March 2004, after conducting testing, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Food and Drug Administration advised pregnant and nursing women, women who may become pregnant and young children to limit their consumption of canned albacore tuna to 6 ounces per week. The advisory said the same groups should eat no more than 12 ounces of canned light tuna and other fish that are lower in mercury.
http://www.thebostonchannel.com/health/3446220/detail.html
