Clarification Appended: Feb 25, 2010
Popular among elementary-school students and foodies alike, tuna has become one of the most widely consumed fish in the world. It also has somewhat of a mixed reputation. A well-publicized 2004 U.S. government advisory warned pregnant women and young children against eating too much of the albacore ("white") variety of the fish out of concern that the high mercury levels could damage the unborn or young childs's developing nervous system. The FDA has also warned against the likelihood of fresh fish lovers falling prey to Scombroid, a mild food poisoning caused by the toxins emitted from improperly refrigerating fish such as tuna, mackerel, bluefish and mahi-mahi.
The original version of this article has been updated