Terrified shoppers say they have thrown away unopened cans of tuna after a “scary” public health warning that some cans contain a toxic metal.
Concerns were raised earlier this week after tests carried out on 150 cans purchased in five countries found that half contained excessive amounts of the toxin mercury.
The French study also found that all cans, including some purchased in the UK, contained metal which, in large quantities, can damage brain health and cause cancer.
Now, shoppers have taken to social media to voice concerns about potential health risks, and some say they have thrown away new cans as a result.
“I eat an average of 2 or 3 cans of tuna a week and I’m going to stop doing it,” wrote one Internet user on Facebook.
“Then I’ll throw away my cans,” another responded. ‘I would do it. He says they are being removed (from supermarkets),’ said a third.
Others looked to the health service for guidance, commenting: “The NHS website even recommends minimizing consumption of canned tuna.”
One simple commenter on social media wrote: “Pretty scary to read this.”
Terrified shoppers say they have thrown away unopened cans of tuna after a “scary” public health warning that some cans contain a toxic metal.
Studies have found that at very high doses, some forms of mercury can trigger the development of various types of tumors in rats and mice.
Methylmercury, the toxic metal found in canned tuna bought in stores in France, Italy, Spain, Germany and Britain, has previously been linked to cancer.
Studies have found that at very high doses, some forms of mercury can trigger the development of various types of tumors in rats and mice.
But the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) found that there was not enough evidence to determine whether mercury could cause cancer in humans.
The metal can also damage the kidneys and nervous system, cause vision problems and increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.
And according to the World Health Organization, mercury can also cause neurological and behavioral disorders if inhaled, ingested, or if it comes into contact with the skin.
Symptoms include tremors, insomnia, memory loss, headaches, and cognitive and motor dysfunction.
Current NHS guidelines state that pregnant women should eat no more than two tuna steaks or four cans of tuna a week due to the potential damage it can cause to the unborn baby’s brain.
Other fish also contain mercury, and some types, such as swordfish, contain especially large amounts.
Despite this, doctors say that for most, canned fish is fine in moderation.
The NHS advises people to eat at least two portions of fish a week to reap its nutritional benefits, such as protection against heart disease and bone-boosting vitamin D.
Studies have shown that the average person is unlikely to consume enough mercury through fish to cause serious harm.