SAMA HOOLE: Bluefin tuna was ground into cat food and given away as a nuisance catch, worthless, until fashion turned the same fish into the most expensive meat in the sea. Lean muscle with the fat all but bred out, so dry the canners have to drown it in soybean oil, or you smother it in mayonnaise, before a grown adult will eat it.

Bluefin tuna was ground into cat food and given away as a nuisance catch, worthless, until fashion turned the same fish into the most expensive meat in the sea.

The fashion was the only thing about it that ever improved.

Look at what tuna is. Lean muscle with the fat all but… pic.twitter.com/oZ3hl1yANE

— Sama Hoole (@SamaHoole) July 21, 2026

Bluefin tuna was ground into cat food and given away as a nuisance catch, worthless, until fashion turned the same fish into the most expensive meat in the sea. The fashion was the only thing about it that ever improved. Look at what tuna is. Lean muscle with the fat all but bred out, so dry the canners have to drown it in soybean oil, or you smother it in mayonnaise, before a grown adult will eat it. The one part anyone truly prizes is the fatty belly the sushi bars charge a fortune for. Prized for one reason. It is the only bit with any fat left on it. Then the mercury. A big tuna spends decades near the top of the food chain, hoarding the methylmercury of every smaller fish it ever ate. Which is why pregnant women are told to ration it and children to keep it to a tin a week. So, the health food. A fish once fit only for fertiliser, stripped of the fat that makes meat worth eating, loaded with a metal you are warned to limit, packed in the seed oil it is too dry to survive without. Rebranded as Chicken of the Sea, then as ocean gold. Nothing about the fish changed, not one cell of it. Only the story did, and the story is where the money always was.

When a food's price swings that hard while the food stays the same, you are not looking at nutrition. You are looking at marketing in a chef's hat. 

All these cans of American Tuna and fish products were tested in a lab

He goes over all the products that tested “high levels of mercury and arsenic”

“High levels of arsenic in ALL BUT ONE of the albacore tunas”

Bookmark this for reference when you shop. The FDA is useless pic.twitter.com/XAIUfiFY3s

— “Sudden And Unexpected” (@toobaffled) July 13, 2025

500 mgs of Omega 3 per serving.  High fat fish contain higher Omega 3s.  I try to eat only Wild Caught Salmon and never any Atlantic Salmon.  Atlantic Salmon is farm-raised salmon that is fed all sorts of carcinogens in their feed.  I do eat sardines frequently, but again only wild caught either with olive oil or in water..

Here are the top 3 from 1of3onHigh, Based on recent studies and available data, particularly from Consumer Lab’s 2025 review of canned fish, here are the top 3 canned tuna brands that balance low levels of mercury and arsenic with high omega-3 fatty acid content (DHA and EPA). These recommendations prioritize skipjack tuna (often labeled as “chunk light”) over albacore due to its generally lower mercury content, as larger fish like albacore accumulate more contaminants. The selections are drawn from products tested for both contaminant levels and omega-3 content, ensuring a focus on health and nutritional benefits.

1. Safe Catch Wild (Skipjack) Elite Pure Tuna

Mercury: Among the lowest tested, with Consumer Reports and Safe Catch’s own claims indicating mercury levels significantly below the FDA’s action limit (often 10 times lower).

Arsenic: Low levels, with no significant contamination reported in Consumer Lab’s tests. It does not exceed California’s Prop 65 limit for arsenic.

Omega-3 (DHA + EPA): Provides approximately 500–700 mg per 85-gram serving, a solid amount for skipjack tuna, though not the highest among all fish types.

Details: Sustainably caught, pole-and-line fished, and tested individually for mercury. Packed in its natural oils, retaining omega-3s without added fillers. Available at retailers like Walmart for ~$3 per 5-ounce can.

2. Trader Joe’s Chunk Light Skipjack Tuna in Water

Mercury: Low mercury levels, consistent with skipjack’s smaller size and shorter lifespan, making it a safer choice than albacore. ConsumerLab’s tests found minimal mercury.

Arsenic: Among the lowest for arsenic contamination, with levels well below concerning thresholds in ConsumerLab’s analysis.

Omega-3 (DHA + EPA): Approximately 400–600 mg per 85-gram serving, slightly lower than some albacore but adequate for health benefits.

Details: Affordable and widely available, this tuna is pole-caught, reducing environmental impact. It’s a good balance of low contaminants and decent omega-3 content.

3. Wild Planet Skipjack Wild Tuna

Mercury: Low mercury levels, comparable to other skipjack varieties, with Consumer Reports noting it as safer than albacore options.

Arsenic: Low arsenic contamination, not exceeding Consumer Lab’s strict limits, making it a safe choice for regular consumption.

Omega-3 (DHA + EPA): Delivers around 500–800 mg per 85-gram serving, competitive for skipjack tuna and supportive of cardiovascular health.

Details: Sustainably sourced using pole-and-line methods, packed without added water or oil to preserve omega-3s. Available at retailers like Amazon for ~$4 per 5-ounce can.

Notes:

Why Skipjack? Skipjack tuna consistently shows lower mercury levels (0.12 ppm on average) compared to albacore (up to 0.41 ppm), as it’s a smaller, shorter-lived species. Arsenic levels vary more by brand and processing, but skipjack generally has lower contaminant risks than albacore.

Omega-3 Context: While salmon and sardines often have higher omega-3s (1,000–2,000 mg per serving), skipjack tuna provides a respectable 400–800 mg, sufficient for meeting the recommended 250–500 mg daily intake for heart health.

Consumption Advice: For adults, 2–3 servings (8–12 ounces) per week of these low-mercury tunas are safe, provided no other high-mercury fish are consumed. Pregnant women and children should limit intake further (e.g., one serving of light tuna weekly for kids).

Sustainability: All three brands use pole-and-line or troll-caught methods, which are more sustainable and reduce bycatch. Look for labels like “dolphin-safe” or MSC certification for added assurance.

Always check labels for sourcing and processing details, as mercury and arsenic levels can vary even within brands. If you prioritize higher omega-3s, consider canned salmon or sardines, which often outperform tuna in both omega-3 content and lower contaminants.