Information Update - Testing for Mercury in Canned Tuna

News Release

Fact Sheet
Update - Health Canada advises specific groups to limit their consumption of canned albacore tuna
Canada is a world leader when it comes to monitoring and limiting exposure to
mercury. As part of its mandate of ensuring a safe food supply for
Canadians, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is responsible for
monitoring and enforcing chemical contaminant standards, including mercury
levels in canned albacore tuna, set by the Government of Canada.
A national news report that aired February 19-20, 2007,
reported that 8 out of 60 individual cans of albacore tuna sampled from the
retail market exceeded the Government of Canada's guidelines for mercury. After
receiving the CBC information, the CFIA took immediate action to investigate the
situation.
Follow-up Actions
The CFIA has determined that the CBC results do not
represent a health risk which means that this canned albacore tuna does not need
to be recalled.
Through its investigation, the CFIA determined that 5 of
the 60 cans tested (8%) exceeded the standard of 0.5ppm. For each sample that
exceeded the standard, the CFIA has contacted the importer and is working with
them to ensure that incoming shipments of canned albacore tuna from the relevant
exporters are tested. This sampling frequency will continue until the CFIA is
confident that the lots contain compliant products. These importers have also
contacted their suppliers to initiate a review of the controls at their
suppliers.
Additionally, the CFIA is reminding the governments of the
top exporting countries and domestic Canadian importers of the need to ensure
that canned tuna meets Canadian requirements.
On February 19, 2007,
Health Canada issued new advice on the consumption of canned albacore tuna. Based on
this new advice, the CFIA has initiated increased testing of canned albacore
tuna before products reach the retail level to verify that appropriate import
controls are in place.
All importers have been informed of Health Canada's new
advisory and reminded of their responsibility to work with their suppliers to
ensure that canned albacore tuna meets all Canadian requirements.

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Canadian Food Inspection Agency Health and Safety

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2016-12-15

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Information Update - Testing for Mercury in Canned Tuna

News Release

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