Washington, DC - The U.S. Tuna Foundation (USTF) today stated that by recommending that pregnant women can safely eat up to 12 ounces of a variety of fish a week, the new seafood advisory issued by the Food and Drug Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency continues to support the safety and many health benefits of eating canned tuna.

Responding to the release of FDA and EPA's new consumer advisory addressing mercury levels in seafood, USTF said that the government's advice will help to assure women that it is safe to eat canned tuna weekly during pregnancy. Specifically, the government's 2004 advisory states "women and young children in particular should include fish and shellfish in their diets due to the many nutritional benefits." Accordingly, the advisory tells pregnant and nursing women they can safely eat up to 12 ounces of a variety of fish and shellfish that are low in mercury and identifies canned tuna as one of the most commonly consumed types of fish with low mercury levels.

By advising pregnant women and nursing mothers to eat a variety of different species of seafood a week, the government's advisory also makes it clear that pregnant and nursing women can safely consume albacore as one of their fish choices. The new advisory tells pregnant women they can safely eat up to six ounces of albacore a week (an average sandwich contains 2 ounces).

"The government's new advisory is important news, because it helps women understand that while almost all ocean fish and seafood naturally contain trace levels of mercury, seafood including canned tuna provides a number of important health benefits during pregnancy," said Lillian Beard, MD, an Associate Clinical Professor at the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences in Washington, D.C and a member of the Tuna Nutrition Council which advises USTF on nutrition and public health matters.

The FDA took special care to affirm the nutritional benefits of seafood in the new advisory and continues to reinforce that consumption advice is not necessary for the general population. In fact, the agency notes that tuna remains a safe and healthy food choice for consumers and is an essential part of a balanced diet.

Health Benefits of Omega-3s During Pregnancy

Public health and nutrition authorities recommend eating canned tuna and other types of seafood during pregnancy because of growing evidence about the beneficial role that omega-3 fatty acids, found in fish, play during this period. A recent National Institutes of Health study across 23 countries found that women whose breast milk was rich in omega-3 were less likely to experience postpartum depression. Further, extensive research confirms that the omega-3 fatty acids in canned tuna may prolong gestation which could reduce the incidence of premature birth. For these reasons, the government's advisory makes it clear that: "A well balanced diet includes a variety of fish and shellfish that can contribute to heart health and children's proper growth and development."

Equally important for pregnant and nursing women, canned tuna contains DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), an omega-3 fatty acid that is essential for the healthy development of the fetus and young child. According to scientific studies, DHA comprises approximately 40 percent of the polyunsaturated fatty acid content in the cell membranes in the brain and 60 percent of the cell membranes in the retina and is transferred from mother to the fetus at a high rate during the last trimester of pregnancy.

"It is important for pregnant and nursing women to understand that the omega-3 fatty acids found in fish are essential during pregnancy and lactation," said Joyce A. Nettleton, D.Sc., RD, author of Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Health and another member of the Tuna Nutrition Council. "Women need to know that eating canned tuna and many other types of fish during pregnancy provides the omega-3 fatty acids that are necessary for the developing fetus to develop and thrive."

Canned Tuna Is Nature's Healthy Fast Food

Besides the benefits for pregnant and nursing women, the omega-3 fatty acids found in canned tuna are important for people of all ages, which is why several health organizations such as the American Heart Association and the American Dietetic Association now recommend that people eat two to three servings of a variety of fish a week, including canned tuna. According to a number of recent studies, the omega-3 fatty acids found in canned tuna and other types of fish lowers the risk of heart disease, reduces the likelihood of blood clots and stroke, protects against certain cancers, has a therapeutic effect on autoimmune diseases, and helps to relieve depression.

Canned tuna is also a tasty and affordable food that is low in fat, rich in certain vitamins and minerals and is so high in protein that one six-ounce can yields one-third of the recommended daily amount. Moreover, canned tuna is very low in calories compared to other protein sources. There are 116 calories in a 100-gram serving of water-packed canned tuna compared with 208 calories in the same serving of turkey.

"Canned tuna is affordable and delicious, as well as nutritious and is an intelligent choice from a health and weight management perspective," said Barbara J. Moore, Ph.D., president and CEO of Shape Up America! and a member of the Tuna Nutrition Council. "At a time when obesity is on the rise and people are looking for good tasting, low calorie foods, canned tuna packed in water is a very smart choice."

More information about canned tuna and its health benefits is available at the USTF Web site, www.tunafacts.com.

Established in 1976, the U.S. Tuna Foundation (USTF) is the national organization representing the canned tuna processors and the fishermen who supply them and addresses issues ranging from fishing access arrangements to federal and state regulations and domestic marketing.

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