Recent Food and Drug Administration (FDA) tests found the average mercury level of canned albacore tuna to be at least 35 times higher than the level in canned salmon. The latter had mercury below the detection level of .01 parts per million (ppm); the albacore samples averaged .353 ppm. The FDA recommends that women of childbearing age and children eat no more than 6 ounces (one average meal) of albacore tuna or tuna steaks per week.

Oceana.org reports that chunk light tuna has one-third the average mercury content of albacore, but salmon is still best; one 3- to 6-ounce serving also provides a week’s worth of heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Whenever possible, choose Alaskan wild salmon.

Download a Mini-Guide to Ocean Friendly Seafood at Oceana.org. The non-profit group actively campaigns to have grocery stores post FDA mercury advice at seafood counters and canned fish shelves. Sign up at the site link to participate.