Warning over ALL tinned tuna sold in UK that ‘poses colossal risk to public health’

A WARNING has been issued over tins of tuna sold in the UK containing a substance which poses a “colossal risk to public health”.

Mercury, which has even been linked to some cancers, was discovered in 148 of 150 tins randomly tested across Europe.

Over half the products exceeded the 1mg/kg limit in UK and EU law.

The toxic metal can affect pregnant women, impair brain development and cause lung damage.

As well as the UK, products from France, Italy, Spain and Germany were also tested – with one tin in Paris found to contain a record level of 3.9 mg/kg.

Bloom, the environmental NGO that conducted the research along with Foodwatch France, has now made an urgent appeal to governments based on the findings.

They urged nations to “activate a safeguard clause” to prevent the further sale of products exceeding 0.3mg/kg.

They also called for all tuna products to be removed from school canteens, nurseries, maternity wards, hospitals and care homes.

Karine Jacquemart, head of Foodwatch France, added: “What we end up with on our dinner plates is a colossal risk to public health that’s not considered seriously.

“We won’t give up until we have a more protective European standard.”

The average European eats about 25 tins of tuna per year, meaning a significant risk of mercury exposure.

The substance ends up in the atmosphere by a number of human and natural means – including the burning of coal.

About 80 per cent of this mercury then ends up in the ocean, where it is consumed by sea creatures.

It makes its way up the food chain, eventually reaching predators such as tuna.

High doses of mercury can also have lesser-known effects such as damage to eyesight, kidneys and the nervous system.

Experiments undertaken on rats and mice have even found various tumours triggered by the consumption of mercury.

Mercury poisoning is a particular cause for concern among workers exposed to high levels for several years – for example in mines.