By George Anderson
A new report from Consumer Reports magazine says pregnant women, those planning on conceiving or those who are presently nursing infants or toddlers should not eat canned tuna - period.
The concern about consumption of tuna and other types of fish is the amount of mercury found in the fish. High levels of the metal have been found to harm the nervous systems of children in the women, babies and young children.
The government said it was comfortable with existing guidelines, which maintain it is safe for consumers in at-risk groups to consume up to 12 ounces a week.
The guidelines set by the federal government are restricted to albacore tuna (AKA white tuna), but Consumer Reports maintains that canned light tuna was found to contain up to "twice as much -- as the average albacore."
The U.S. Tuna Foundation said it supports the federal guidelines and suggested Consumer Reports was making much ado about very little. According to the group, the health benefits of consuming seafood outweigh any risk from "trace amounts of mercury."
Moderator's Comment: Will Consumer Reports' recommendation that at-risk groups avoid all consumption of canned tuna have an effect on sales? Which source do you think consumers are most likely to trust on the canned tuna consumption question? - George Anderson - Moderator