Does farmed fish contain mercury like wild fish such as tuna?
Scientific studies conducted by Health Canada indicate that trace amounts of many different types of contaminants, like mercury or PCBs, are found in both wild and farmed fish. Mercury is a naturally occurring element found in soil and rocks. It also exists in lakes, streams and oceans. In addition to natural sources, mercury is released into the environment by human activities such as pulp and paper processing, mining operations, and burning fossil fuels. Health Canada has established a guideline level of 0.5 parts per million for mercury in most commercial fish, wild or farmed. Fish sold in Canada have mercury levels that fall far below this guideline, which is enforced by the CFIA. Click here to read Health Canada’s fact sheet entitled, “Information on mercury levels in fish.
