Tuna warning as shoppers say they've 'thrown away' tins and are 'scared'

Shoppers have confessed to "throwing away" tins of tuna and feeling "scared" after a warning that some cans may contain a toxic metal. The public reacted with concern to research which discovered nearly all of the 150 cans bought in France, Italy, Spain, Germany and Britain were "were contaminated with mercury".

Foodwatch France and NGO Bloom scientists released a damning report on Thursday after conducting the study. Shoppers expressed their concerns on social media, stating they plan to cut down on their consumption of tinned tuna.

Some even claimed they had thrown away cans or planned to do so. One said: "I will throw my tins away then."

Another responded to this Facebook comment with: "I would. It (the report) states they are being removed (from supermarkets)."

Another internet user stated: "I eat on average 2-3 cans of tuna a week and I'm going to stop.", reports the Mirror.

Another said: "It is quite scary to read this."

One post reads: "The NHS website even advises to minimise tinned tuna intake."

The research suggests a link between methylmercury and cancer.

In very high doses, studies have found that some forms of mercury have triggered the development of several types of tumours in rats and mice. The World Health Organisation says pregnant women and children are particularly vulnerable to high levels of methylmercury, exposure to which can also damage the kidneys and nervous system, cause vision problems and increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.

The average European consumes over 2.8 kilos of tuna per year, which is approximately 25 cans. Around four-fifths of the mercury released into the atmosphere from natural and human causes, such as burning coal, ends up in the ocean where it is converted by tiny organisms into a toxic compound known as methylmercury.

This methylmercury accumulates in top predators in high concentrations. As tuna - along with other predators or longer-living species like sharks or swordfish - are higher up the food chain, they consume smaller fish and accumulate more mercury over time.

Despite social media claims, doctors have previously stated that moderate consumption of tuna is fine, provided it is part of a balanced diet.