A bumblestar is born.

If you're a fan of America's favorite fish, you know that tuna has some issues. First there's the mercury. Then, assuming it's canned tuna, there's the salt.

Well, Starkist and Bumble Bee have scratched sodium off the problem list. Each sells a Very Low Sodium Chunk White Albacore Tuna in Water with only 35 milligrams of sodium per quarter cup. That's just a fraction of the 250 mg in that much ordinary canned tuna.

How will your taste buds take the news?

They might notice the difference if you sample a morsel right out of the can. But if you mix in mayo (100 mg of sodium per tablespoon, so go easy), celery, onion, and the usual tuna salad fixin's and house it all in a crusty roll with lettuce and tomato, you won't get any complaints.

And if you do, try Starkist Low Sodium Chunk Light Tuna in Water, which has 100 mg of sodium per quarter cup. Faced with a lineup of tuna salads, only the most sensitive tasters would ever be able to pick it out.

As for the mercury, young children and women who are nursing, pregnant, or could become pregnant should follow the latest FDA recommendations: up to 12 oz. a week of tuna and other seafood (of which no more than 6 oz. should be white tuna). The FDA has no restrictions for other people.

If you go with the Light tuna to dodge more mercury, keep in mind that 1/4 cup (2 oz.) isn't much. But with mayo and veggies, it'll fill up your sandwich without filling up your salt quota.

Starkist: [phone]

Bumble Bee: [phone]