Integrating mercury data on nutrition labels of canned tuna and its relevance to the Minamata Convention Sofia Banu Shah The University of the South Pacific, Fiji Nutritional composition data on processed and packaged foods, including canned fish products, are essential for consumers to make informed and healthier food choices. Canned fish such as tuna serve as a vital source of nutrition especially in Pacific Island Countries and Territories, where well-managed coastal fisheries may not be able to meet the increasing demand for fish. Population growth, coral reef degradation, and climate change have created challenges in maintaining sustainable coastal fish production; thus, leading to gaps between the needed fish supply for consumption and what can be sustainably harvested from reefs. Increased accessibility and intake of canned fish products, can help fill these gaps; and provide recommended dietary nutrition. This poster aims to access the extent to which nutrition information labels on locally produced canned tuna include details about mercury (Hg) content and the recommended consumption guidelines. This is crucial for consumer awareness and safety; particularly in regions where canned fish serves as a significant dietary component. Hg is a concern in fish consumption due to its adverse health effects. It can accumulate in fish and pose health risks. Ensuring that consumers have access to accurate information about Hg levels and recommended consumption guidelines is essential for protecting public health and promoting sustainable seafood choices.SDG14“highlights on the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development”. The UNDP assists countries to decrease the use and release of Hg from various land-based activities, prevents Hg entering water sources, and reduce the build-up of Hg in the food chain whilst UNEP targets to protect human health and the global environment from the release of Hg and its compounds by minimizing global anthropogenic Hg releases to air, water and land. Hg haslong-range atmospheric transportation, can persist and bioaccumulate; and has deleterious effects on human and ecosystem health. Tunas being migratory predators and located at higher trophic positions, are an important fishery resource; yet Hg contamination in local and imported tuna products has become a food safety concern. To understand the transparency and accuracy of product labels, particularly for Hg details; a visit to major supermarkets in the greater Suva area in Fiji was made to examine the nutritional information labeling on locally produced canned tuna. Whilst the standardized labeling format is applauded, the absence of information about Hg content on the labels of canned tuna is observed. Even though Hg is a non-essential dietary requirement, its presence in fish is a concern. The research findings may have policy implications, leading to potential regulatory changes that may require manufacturers to include Hg content information on canned fish product labels. This research can have a significant impact on consumer safety, public health and sustainable seafood consumption, thus assessing the Minamata convention effectiveness. References 1. Kumar M, Aalbersberg B, Mosley L (2004) Mercury levels in Fijian seafoods and potential health implications. IAS.FAO/WHO (1991). Codex Alimentarius guideline levels for methylmercury in fish. CAC/GL 7-1991.
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