The Real Reason Why You Should Avoid Canned Tuna

Summary

This video delves into the health risks associated with consuming canned tuna, a popular, convenient seafood choice. It highlights sustainability concerns, potential labor exploitation in the fishing industry, and the presence of mercury. The script also addresses the risk of scombrotoxin food poisoning and Bisphenol A (BPA) in cans. Healthline's advice on moderate consumption and checking for can integrity is shared. Alternatives like sardines and salmon are suggested for a healthier, sustainable option. The video encourages mindful selection of canned tuna to balance nutrition and safety.

Takeaways

• 🐟 Canned tuna is a quick, inexpensive, and nutritious option due to its low-fat, high-protein content, and omega-3 fatty acids.
• 🚫 Sustainability and potential labor misconduct in the supply chain are significant concerns with canned tuna.
• 🔍 The Seafood Watch's Seafood Slavery Risk Tool helps identify slavery practices in seafood supply chains and guides consumers towards sustainably-sourced tuna.
• ♻️ Look for Marine Stewardship Council certification on cans as an assurance of sustainable fishing practices.
• 🌡 Tuna is relatively high in mercury, so it's important to be mindful of consumption frequency and quantity.
• 🌊 Mercury enters the food chain through water, accumulating in fish and eventually in humans who consume them.
• ⚠️ Excessive mercury consumption can have severe health repercussions, but moderate tuna intake is generally safe.
• 🤒 Be cautious of scombrotoxin, a type of food poisoning that can occur from improperly handled tuna, causing allergic reactions in some individuals.
• 🏺 Bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical found in some cans, may have potential health risks, including infertility and cancer, especially with high consumption.
• 🔍 Always check cans for dents, holes, or cracks before purchasing to minimize the risk of contamination.
• 🍽️ Alternatives to canned tuna include sardines, which are low in mercury and environmentally friendly, and Alaskan wild-caught salmon, which is sustainably sourced.

Q & A

Why is consuming too much canned tuna potentially harmful?

Eating too much canned tuna can be harmful due to its relatively high mercury content, which can have negative effects on health if consumed in large amounts.

What are some of the sustainability concerns associated with canned tuna?

Sustainability concerns with canned tuna include the potential for slavery, trafficking, and labor exploitation in the fishing industry, as well as questionable efforts to vet the labor supply chain.

How can consumers identify sustainably-sourced canned tuna?

Consumers can identify sustainably-sourced canned tuna by looking for brands listed on the Seafood Watch's Seafood Slavery Risk Tool or cans marked as Marine Stewardship Council certified.

What is the significance of the Marine Stewardship Council certification on canned tuna?

The Marine Stewardship Council certification indicates that the tuna is sustainably sourced, ensuring that it comes from a well-managed fishery that minimizes environmental impact.

How does mercury enter the food chain and why is it a concern in fish consumption?

Mercury enters the food chain through water, as it is a naturally-occurring element in the earth's crust. It is released into the atmosphere and dissolves into seawater, where fish ingest it. High mercury levels in fish can be harmful to humans when consumed.

What is scombrotoxin and how is it related to canned tuna?

Scombrotoxin is a type of food poisoning that occurs when tuna starts to spoil and produces a specific type of bacteria. It is caused by improper handling and can cause symptoms like a peppery taste, sweating, and dizziness.

What is Bisphenol A (BPA) and why might it be a concern in canned tuna?

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical sometimes found in the lining of cans. While the FDA claims that the levels of BPA in cans are not harmful, there are potential health effects like infertility, cancer, and heart disease that have been associated with BPA, especially with copious amounts of canned food consumption.

How can consumers ensure they are buying uncontaminated canned tuna?

Consumers can ensure they are buying uncontaminated canned tuna by thoroughly checking cans for dents, holes, or cracks before purchase, and by discarding any cans with an off smell or color upon opening.

What are some alternative canned fish options that are low in mercury and sustainably sourced?

Alternatives to canned tuna include sardines, which are low in mercury and have a low environmental impact, and canned Alaskan salmon, which is sustainably sourced from North American waters.

What precautions should be taken when preparing a meal with canned tuna to avoid health risks?

When preparing a meal with canned tuna, one should ensure the can is not damaged, check for proper storage conditions to prevent spoilage, and be aware of the potential health risks associated with high mercury content and the presence of BPA.

Outlines

00:00

🐟 Canned Tuna: Health Risks and Sustainable Choices

This paragraph highlights the health risks associated with consuming excessive canned tuna, emphasizing its convenience and nutritional benefits but also discussing concerns like sustainability, labor exploitation in the fishing industry, and the presence of mercury. It advises consumers to look for Marine Stewardship Council certified cans or use the Seafood Slavery Risk Tool to make informed choices. Additionally, it touches on the risk of scombrotoxin food poisoning and the potential health effects of Bisphenol A (BPA) found in cans, suggesting thorough inspection before purchase.

Keywords

💡Canned tuna

Canned tuna refers to tuna fish that has been preserved by canning, a process that involves sealing the fish in an airtight container to extend its shelf life. In the video, canned tuna is presented as a quick, inexpensive, and nutritious food option, highlighting its convenience and the fact that it's a good source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids. However, the video also addresses potential health risks associated with consuming canned tuna, such as mercury content and the possibility of food poisoning from scombrotoxin.

💡Sustainability

Sustainability in the context of the video pertains to the responsible management of resources, ensuring that tuna fishing practices do not deplete fish stocks or harm the environment. The script mentions concerns about the fishing industry's impact on tuna populations and the need for consumers to be aware of sustainable sourcing when purchasing canned tuna. The Marine Stewardship Council certification is mentioned as a way to identify sustainably caught fish.

💡Mercury

Mercury is a naturally occurring element that can be harmful when consumed in high amounts. In the video, it is discussed as a contaminant that enters the food chain through water and accumulates in fish, including tuna. The script warns that while tuna is a healthy food, it is relatively high in mercury, and overconsumption can lead to health issues. It advises moderation in tuna consumption to minimize mercury intake.

💡Scombrotoxin

Scombrotoxin is a type of food poisoning that can result from consuming improperly handled or spoiled tuna. The video script explains that this toxin is produced by a specific bacteria that grows when tuna begins to spoil, and it can cause allergic reactions in some individuals. Symptoms of scombrotoxin poisoning include a peppery taste, sweating, and dizziness. The video emphasizes the importance of proper handling and storage of canned tuna to prevent such issues.

💡Bisphenol A (BPA)

Bisphenol A, or BPA, is a chemical used in the production of some plastics and the lining of food cans. The video script mentions BPA as a potential health concern, as it has been linked to various health issues such as infertility, cancer, and heart disease. Although the FDA claims that the levels of BPA in cans are not harmful, the video suggests that consumers might want to consider the potential risks when consuming large amounts of canned food.

💡Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)

The Marine Stewardship Council is an international non-profit organization that certifies fisheries and seafood products as sustainable. In the video, the MSC certification is highlighted as a mark of assurance for consumers that the canned tuna they purchase has been sourced from well-managed and sustainable fisheries. This certification helps consumers make informed choices about the environmental impact of their seafood consumption.

💡Seafood Watch

Seafood Watch is a program of the Monterey Bay Aquarium that provides recommendations and resources to consumers and businesses about sustainable seafood choices. The video script references the Seafood Slavery Risk Tool offered by Seafood Watch, which helps identify potential slavery practices in the seafood supply chain. This tool is an example of how consumers can make more ethical and sustainable choices when purchasing canned tuna.

💡Supply chain labor misconduct

Supply chain labor misconduct refers to unethical practices such as slavery, trafficking, and labor exploitation that can occur within the fishing industry. The video script discusses the importance of being aware of these issues when purchasing canned tuna and suggests using resources like Seafood Watch to identify brands that are committed to ethical labor practices.

💡Omega-3 fatty acids

Omega-3 fatty acids are a type of polyunsaturated fat that are essential for human health, playing a crucial role in brain function, heart health, and reducing inflammation. The video script mentions that canned tuna is a good source of omega-3s, contributing to its nutritional value and making it a popular choice for those seeking a healthy diet.

💡Sardines

Sardines are small, oily fish that are often canned and consumed as a sustainable and nutritious seafood option. The video script suggests sardines as an alternative to canned tuna for those seeking a low-mercury and environmentally friendly option. Sardines are highlighted as a nutritional powerhouse, offering health benefits similar to tuna but with a lower risk of environmental and health concerns.

💡Canned salmon

Canned salmon is another type of canned seafood that the video script mentions as a potential alternative to canned tuna. It is noted that Alaskan canned salmon, in particular, is a sustainable choice as it is wild-caught from North American waters. The video encourages consumers to consider a variety of canned seafood options to diversify their diet and reduce potential health risks associated with consuming one type of fish excessively.

Highlights

Eating too much canned tuna can be detrimental to health.

Canned tuna is convenient, quick, inexpensive, and nutritious.

Canned tuna is a good source of low-fat, high-protein, and omega-3s.

Buying and cooking fresh fish can be intimidating; canned tuna offers a solution.

Sustainability and potential labor misconduct are concerns in the canned tuna industry.

Tuna fishing is a $42 billion industry with questionable labor supply chain practices.

Seafood Watch provides a Seafood Slavery Risk Tool for businesses and consumers.

Look for Marine Stewardship Council certified cans for sustainably-sourced tuna.

Tuna is relatively high in mercury compared to other fish.

Mercury in fish comes from the natural element in the earth's crust that dissolves into seawater.

Consuming too much mercury can have adverse health effects.

Scombrotoxin is a type of food poisoning that can occur in improperly handled tuna.

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical sometimes found in cans, with potential health concerns.

Check cans for dents, holes, or cracks to reduce the risk of contamination.

If canned tuna smells or looks off, it should be discarded.

Sardines are a low-mercury, environmentally friendly, and nutritious alternative to tuna.

Canned salmon, especially Alaskan, is a sustainable and healthy option.

Canned tuna can be enjoyed in moderation with consideration for health and sustainability.

Transcripts

Did you know that eating too much  canned tuna is actually bad for you?  

Keep watching to learn more about the health risks  of this type of cheap and accessible seafood.

A can of tuna checks a lot of boxes on a busy day,  when you're in need of sustenance. It's quick,  

inexpensive, and nutritious, thanks to  its low-fat and high-protein content and  

abundance of omega-3's. Also, let's be honest  — buying fresh fish and cooking it can be  

intimidating. The can solves that problem — with  a quick flick of a can opener, you're in business.

It's not all smooth sailing for canned tuna,  though. Sustainability and the potential for  

supply chain labor misconduct are things to keep  in mind when you're making the decision to buy  

canned tuna. According to Reuters, slavery,  trafficking, and labor exploitation are  

widespread in the fishing industry. The outlet  reported in 2019 that tuna fishing is a $42  

billion industry. And efforts to vet the labor  supply chain are, at times, questionable.

Seafood Watch has launched a  Seafood Slavery Risk Tool that  

helps businesses potentially identify  slavery practices among their suppliers.  

The site is also a resource for consumers seeking  brands of sustainably-sourced canned tuna. So,  

you may want to scan this list the next time  you're cruising the canned fish aisle. Or,  

you can just look for cans that are marked  as Marine Stewardship Council certified.

Another point to consider when whipping up your  next tuna casserole is the mercury content.  

According to Healthline, tuna is relatively high  in mercury, compared to other types of fish,  

and you should be conscious of how much and  how often you eat it. Eating fish every day  

is touted as having many health benefits, from  improved cardiovascular health to better sleep.  

However, too much of certain types of fish  can have negative effects on your well-being.

Mercury finds its way into the food chain through  water. As a naturally-occurring element in the  

earth's crust, mercury is released into  the atmosphere and then dissolves into  

seawater. While fish go about their days in  the ocean, they ingest mercury which then  

transfers to us when we eat them. The adverse  effects of consuming too much mercury are scary,  

but enjoying canned tuna in  moderate amounts is generally safe.

"What the deuce are staring at?  It's tuna fish, and nothing else."

In addition to the presence of mercury, there are  other red flags to watch out for when it comes to  

preparing a meal made with a can of tuna, such as  the possibility of experiencing a certain type of  

food poisoning called scombrotoxin. Scombrotoxin  happens when a reaction occurs and the tuna starts  

to go bad, producing a specific type of bacteria  to which some people are allergic. The production  

of this bacteria is caused by "improper handling"  and found most prominently in tuna and mackerel.

Symptoms include tasting pepper, sweating,  and dizziness. Another concern to be aware  

of is the potential presence of a chemical  called Bisphenol A, also known as BPA,  

which is sometimes found in cans. While the FDA  claims the levels of BPA in cans is not harmful,  

its potential health effects, including the  potential for infertility, cancer, and heart  

disease are something to consider when eating  copious amounts of canned food, per Eat This,  

Not That! Additionally, Healthline recommends  thoroughly checking cans of tuna before you buy  

them for dents, holes, or cracks to reduce  the likelihood of outside contamination.If  

you open your can of tuna and find the smell  or color isn't quite right, throw it away.

Canned tuna isn't your only option for a quick and  easy fish dish. Just like your mom always said,  

there are other fish in the sea!  And some of them even come in cans.  

Sardines, for example, are notably low in  mercury, have a low environmental impact,  

and are a nutritional powerhouse for your  body, according to Lifehack. Despite their  

stinky reputation, these shiny-scaled swimmers  deserve way more than just a haphazard spot  

on your pizza. The Kitchn has an entire post's  worth of ideas on how they're not just an  

underrated ingredient, but they're also quite  luxurious. Saucy pasta with sardines, anyone?

Perhaps you're more into something less odorous  but still impressively healthy — so try salmon!  

Good Housekeeping suggests selecting  canned salmon that is labeled as Alaskan,  

which assures you it is wild-caught from North  American waters and is sustainable. To be fair,  

sometimes you just can't beat a good tuna salad  sandwich. We think the enjoyment and convenience  

is worth the extra few minutes of contemplation to  make sure your canned tuna choice is a smart one.

Check out one of our newest  videos right here! Plus,  

even more Mashed videos about your  favorite stuff are coming soon.  

Subscribe to our YouTube channel and hit  the bell so you don't miss a single one.