5 Things to Know About Mercury in Tuna

Skipjack is the safest choice Skipjack, sold as canned light tuna, has the lowest mercury levels. It is a smaller, shorter-lived fish that does not accumulate much mercury.

Bigeye tuna has the most mercury Bigeye, often used in sushi, is a large, long-lived predator. It builds up the highest mercury concentrations over its lifetime.

Albacore is in the middle Canned white tuna is albacore, which is bigger than skipjack but smaller than bigeye. Its mercury levels fall between the two.

Follow FDA and EPA guidelines Adults can eat up to 12 ounces of light tuna per week. Limit albacore to 4 ounces. Bigeye is not recommended for regular consumption.

Check labels and ask questions Cans labeled “light” are skipjack. “White” is albacore. For sushi, ask what species of tuna is used—it could be high-mercury bigeye.