Tuna Shopping

I feel grocery shopping is a real chore, particularly when one has very young kids in tow. To add to the chore, parents need to be diligent and read labels carefully because not all store managers think to carry the healthiest foods for our kids. So we go shopping around from store to store looking for mercury-safe tuna, for instance.

The facts about mercury in fish are alarming. According to the EPA,

"Nearly all fish and shellfish contain traces of mercury. ... Some fish and shellfish contain higher levels of mercury that may harm an unborn baby or young child's developing nervous system. ... The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are advising women who may become pregnant, pregnant women, nursing mothers, and young children to avoid some types of fish and eat fish and shellfish that are lower in mercury."

In regard to tuna, the EPA guidelines for adults and children say that

"albacore" ("white") tuna has more mercury than canned light tuna. ... You may eat up to 6 ounces (one average meal) of albacore tuna per week. ... Follow these same recommendations when feeding fish and shellfish to your young child, but serve smaller portions."

Why can't it be more simple? Well, it can be more fun if you involve the kids and make a game out of looking for the right kind of tuna. Heck, they might learn something about how important clean air is to all living things!

PLEASE TAKE ACTION WITH MOMS CLEAN AIR FORCE!