FDA Reiterates Health Benefits of Canned Tuna.

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Tuna Foundation

--Federal Government Warns Labeling Suit Filed by California Attorney General Could Have "Adverse Public Health Consequences"; Says a Proposition 65 Warning Would Be without "Scientific Basis" and "Misleading"

The Food and Drug Administration has challenged California Attorney General Bill Lockyer's lawsuit against the canned tuna industry in a strongly worded letter that dismissed any need for Proposition 65 warning labels. The August 12 letter sent to Lockyer by FDA Commissioner Lester M. Crawford, D.V.M., Ph.D., warned the lawsuit could have "adverse public health consequences" by scaring consumers into eating less fish, thus losing the health benefits associated with tuna.

"We are pleased that the FDA continues to recognize that canned tuna is a healthy food and provides many nutritional benefits to the public," said David Burney, Executive Director of the U.S. Tuna Foundation. "Tuna in no way violates Proposition 65 and we strongly agree with the FDA that forcing warning labels on canned tuna is a gross misuse of the law."

In a move considered by many to show the true political origin of the lawsuit, Lockyer immediately issued a statement to the media challenging the FDA's letter.

"We're disappointed by the Attorney General's actions," Burney said, adding that Lockyer has been aware of scientific studies surrounding tuna since 1997. "Lockyer dismissed the FDA's concerns without addressing any of the major issues presented, instead resorting to unsubstantiated political rhetoric. The people of California deserve better than that. Tuna should be treated as an important source of nutrition and an important food source for the low-income community, not a political football."

The scientific research over the healthy benefits of tuna has been mounting in the past years. Recently published articles have proven the benefits of eating fish for the omega-3 fatty acids they provide; seafood accounts for the majority of omega-3 fatty acids in Americans' diets. Tuna and other seafood have helped to reduce the likelihood of heart disease and asthma, as well as helping in brain and eye development in children.

The Food and Drug Administration has issued guidelines encouraging people to make tuna a regular part of their diets since the 1990s.

"The valuable nutrition tuna provides is vital to many communities," Burney said. "The FDA has said that people deserve to have the facts about tuna."