FDA to probe exactly what tuna goes in can

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Dec 31, 8:46 PM EST

FDA to probe exactly what tuna goes in can

CHICAGO (AP) -- The Food and Drug Administration will look into a

newspaper report that some canned light tuna contains a species with

potentially higher mercury levels, an agency spokeswoman said

Saturday.

A recent Chicago Tribune series found that some cans of light tuna,

which generally is made with skipjack, include yellowfin tuna and

are not labeled that way.

The newspaper cited the U.S. tuna industry in reporting that

yellowfin contains as much mercury as albacore tuna, which the

federal government has advised certain at-risk people to eat

sparingly, the newspaper reported.

The FDA will review the newspaper's information and decide whether

further action is needed, FDA spokeswoman Zawisza told The

Associated Press.

In 2004, the FDA and the Environmental Protection Agency jointly

advised that young children, pregnant women and women of

childbearing age should not eat more than 6 ounces of canned

albacore tuna - about one meal - per week.

The advisory suggested at-risk people instead choose canned light

tuna because it has lower mercury levels. No recommendation was made

for canned yellowfin.

Burney, executive director of the U.S. Tuna Foundation, said

the industry would cooperate with any FDA inquiry. The foundation is

the chief lobbying group for leading tuna producers StarKist, Bumble

Bee and Chicken of the Sea.

Elevated mercury levels have been linked to learning disabilities

and developmental delays in children and to heart, nervous system

and kidney damage in adults.