is tuna safe for pregnant women?

Answer 1

The tuna companies say one can per week.
The FDA says don't eat it at all!

Mercury (trace amounts are in oceanic fish) has been linked to birth defects.

Answer 2

Doctors used to say that a can of tuna (chunk light) was safe because it had the lowest mercury content; but there are studies coming out now that say even chunk light tuna is not safe anymore, stemming from the fact that even the levels of mercury in chunk light tuna are too high for a pregnant woman. I had a can a week during my first preg. (three years ago), and did not have any problems; talk to your doctor and see what they say.

Answer 3

There's a bit of a question mark on this issue, mostly because tuna often contains high levels of mercury. Raw fish is to be avoided at all costs by pregnant women, tuna in particular. Cooked tuna might be less dangerous, I would check with your doctor on that one.

Answer 4

Most tuna contains trace amounts of Mercury which is especially bad for fetus'. Although small amounts might be relatively safe, why take the chance? It is the same thing with smoking and alcohol.

Answer 5

Probably the most controversial fish is tuna. That is because tuna, especially in canned form, is the most widely consumed fish in the U.S. Canned tuna tends to have lower contaminant levels than fresh and frozen forms, in part because different tuna species are used. Also, the amount of tuna people consume differs greatly. People eating more than two 6 ounce cans a week on a regular basis risk consuming more mercury than advisable. FDA has not warned against eating tuna in any form, as long as one eats no more than 12 ounces a week and no other fish besides. Twelve ounces is equivalent to two small cans of tuna a week. In July 2002, however, the FDA’s own Food Advisory Panel recommended that FDA advise women of childbearing age and young children to consume no more than one 6 ounce can of tuna a week. The FDA held its ground and is studying the issue.

But here’s the dilemma – eating fish, especially oil-rich varieties such as salmon, trout, and sardines is good for you, especially during pregnancy. But fish may contain contaminants harmful to the developing fetus. Is it safe to eat fish during pregnancy and lactation?
The oils in fatty fish contain particular omega-3 fatty acids not found naturally in other foods. They are essential in pregnancy for the healthy development of brain, retina, and nervous tissue in the fetus and growing infant. Women must obtain omega-3s from foods because the body cannot make them from other fats. During pregnancy these fatty acids are transferred from the mother’s tissues to the fetus via the placenta. After birth, the infant’s brain and nervous system continues to develop and the infant obtains omega-3s from the mother’s milk.

Answer 6

Yes, tuna is safe but only canned tuna and in moderation.

Answer 7

Tuna is likely to have a small amount of contamination. It is a risk to eat it. Err on the side of caution. Wait, or eat only very occasionally.

Answer 8

They say only once a week...canned tuna has a high mercury content

Answer 9

Consumer Reports is advising pregnant women to avoid eating tuna, as the mercury content in the fish could potentially harm the nervous system of a developing fetus.

The advisory challenges government recommendations that it's safe for pregnant women to eat small amounts of the fish. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) doesn't advise pregnant women to avoid tuna consumption, but says they should have no more than 12 ounces per week. And when choosing which fish to eat, pregnant women should limit albacore tuna (white tuna) or tuna steak to no more than 6 ounces per week, the FDA says. Albacore tuna is thought to contain more mercury than canned light tuna.

Consumer Reports said that in an analysis of FDA data, it found that 6% of the cans of light tuna had as much mercury, and sometimes more than twice as much, as cans of albacore. But the FDA is maintaining its recommendations on fish consumption for pregnant women.

Mercury, which occurs naturally in the environment, can also be released into the air through industrial pollution and can accumulate in streams and oceans, where it turns into methylmercury. The methylmercury builds up in fish, especially those that eat other fish.

It can be confusing when recommendations from trusted sources differ. But since this analysis indicates that amounts of mercury in tuna may be higher than previously reported, some women may want to eliminate tuna from their diet while pregnant or when trying to become pregnant.

Pregnant women also should avoid eating shark, swordfish, tilefish, and king mackerel, as those fish have high levels of mercury. But other types of seafood are safe to eat. Salmon, shrimp, clams, and tilapia are healthy sources of protein and are rich in heart-protecting omega-3 fatty acids that pregnant women need.

Talk with your doctor about how these recommendations relate to your health, and about any risks that might be unique to your pregnancy.

What it means to you. Some types of fish may contain high levels of mercury, which can cause damage to the developing nervous system of a fetus, and should not be eaten at all by pregnant women, women who may become pregnant, nursing mothers, and young children. The FDA recommends that pregnant women eat no more than 6 ounces a week of albacore (or white) tuna or tuna steaks because they are higher in mercury than canned light tuna.

And since a Consumer Reports analysis indicates that amounts of mercury in light tuna may be higher than previously reported, some women may want to eliminate all tuna from their diet while pregnant or when trying to become pregnant. If you have any questions, talk with your doctor.

Answer 10

No do not eat tuna while pregnant.