Experts have issued a warning that tins of tuna sold in the UK may contain a toxic metal. A new study found that almost all of 150 cans purchased in several European countries, including Britain, contained methylmercury, a substance linked to cancer that poses a significant risk to pregnant women, and children. The tests revealed "contamination" with the metal, which can cause brain development issues and life-threatening lung damage.
Researchers have described the findings as "a colossal risk to public health" and are urging governments to take immediate action. Karine Jacquemart, CEO of Foodwatch France - one of the two groups that conducted the study - stated: "What we end up with on our dinner plates is a colossal risk to public health that's not considered seriously. "We won't give up until we have a more protective European standard.
" The current EU and UK law sets a limit of 1 mg/kg for mercury in tuna and 0.3 mg/kg for other fish. However, as reported by The Mirror , the study found that 57 percent of the tins tested exceeded the 0.
3 mg/kg limit, with one tin purchased in Paris containing a record level of 3.9 mg/kg - 13 times the limit. Find out about the symptoms you need to watch out for and get health advice with our free health newsletter from the Daily Express The organisations behind the report, Foodwatch and Bloom , are calling for a safeguard clause to be activated to prevent the sale and promotion of products exceeding the 0.
3mg/kg limit. They are urging gov.
