So, is any tuna still safe to eat? New data on light tuna scrutinized

Q. I've heard that experts now advise pregnant women to avoid all canned tuna because it contains high levels of mercury. What's the advice for the rest of us?

A. The caution you heard for pregnant women came from the July Consumer Reports, based on Consumer Union's analysis of new data from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). But other people can safely eat tuna--within limits.

Previously, chunk light tuna was considered the safest tuna choice, because data indicated it contained only about one-third as much mercury as albacore tuna. That's still mostly the case, but you can no longer assume it's always true.

Putting Tuna to the Test. The little-publicized FDA data revealed that 6% of canned light tuna contains large amounts of mercury--as much or more than albacore. The aberrations may stem from occasional use of yellowfin tuna instead of safer skipjack, suggests Consumer's Union, but there's no way to know what's in your light tuna.

The results sent accusations flying among the FDA, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), consumer groups like the Environmental Working Group (EWG) and the National Resources Defense Council (NRDC), as well as the tuna industry itself. Moreover, the tests FDA used to detect mercury were criticized for failing to reveal even higher mercury levels in some light tuna.

But, in general, light tuna harbors less mercury than albacore, which comes from larger fish. And chunk-light is likely to contain less than solid-light, according to Consumer's Union.

Know When to Say When to Tuna. While FDA recommendations cover only younger women and children, Consumer's Union recommends that men and older women limit their tuna intake to three cans of chunk-light tuna or one can of solid-light or white albacore tuna per week.

In addition, both the NRDC and the EWG offer "calculators" online that tell you how much tuna you can safely eat or if you've exceeded safe limits. Go to www. ewg.org and click "tuna calculator" on the right. Or visit www.nrdc.org/health/ effects/mercury/index.asp and scroll down and click "mercury calculator."

Why Mercury Is Trouble. Mercury is of concern not just for the learning disabilities it can cause in children, but also for the neurological, cardiac and immunological problems it may cause in adults.

Research suggests that limiting tuna intake might be especially important for men and older women; one study found that middle-aged men with the highest levels of mercury had a 70% greater risk of death from cardiovascular disease than men with the lowest levels.

EN's Take on Tuna. There's no doubt that all tuna contains mercury. In general, however, most chunk-light tuna is safer than solid-light tuna, which is safer than white albacore. Still, for young children (under 45 pounds), pregnant or nursing women and women who may become pregnant, steering clear of all canned tuna may be prudent.

For men and older women, there's no reason to eliminate tuna altogether. Tuna is an excellent source of healthy omega-3 fatty acids and protein. However, stay within the guidelines of three cans per week of chunk-light tuna or one can of solid-light tuna or white albacore tuna.

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