bigeye_tuna
Bigeye tuna is on the official 'choices to avoid' list for children. It sits at the top of the food chain and carries some of the highest mercury levels of any fish. Mercury builds up in the body over time and can affect the development of a child's brain and nervous system, so both UK and US guidance say to keep it away from children entirely. Not all tuna is the same: canned light (skipjack) tuna is one of the lowest-mercury fish there is, while bigeye is on the avoid list.
How to serve
Not recommended at any age in childhood.
Choose a low-mercury fish instead - salmon, sardines, trout, cod, haddock, pollock or canned light (skipjack) tuna all give your baby the same omega-3s and protein without the mercury load.
Nutrition
Bigeye tuna is a good source of protein and B vitamins, but every one of those nutrients is available from lower-mercury fish, so there is no nutritional reason to serve it to a child.
Good to know
Not recommended for children because of its mercury content. If you do serve fish, flake it and check carefully for bones.
Avoid bigeye tuna for children. Fish is also a common allergen, so when you do introduce fish, use a low-mercury variety, offer it on its own and watch for a reaction. Aim for about two servings of low-mercury fish a week - roughly 1 oz (30 g) per serving at ages 1-3.
Contains: fish
Tip
Check the label on fish pie mixes, fish fingers and restaurant 'fish of the day' - bigeye tuna is occasionally used and is not always named on a menu.