Mercury and Seafood Fact Sheet - Safefood.org Mercury occurs naturally in the environment. It is found in minute quantities in all living matter, including air, soil, and water. During growth, plants absorb mercury from the soil and air.
Fish can consume small amounts of mercury from food plants.
In fact, this cycle of mercury from one form to another is a part of nature that pre-dates man. Federal health authorities agree that consumption of commercial seafood is safe. Both EPA and FDA have stated that it is safe for consumers to eat canned tuna and other seafoods from grocery stores and restaurants. Neither agency advises consumers to limit overall fish consumption. There have been no known public health incidents associated with consumption of mercury in commercial seafood in the United States or Canada, even though fish consumption has risen considerably in the past decade.