Ask Susan: Mercury content in snack

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Q: I eat a lot of packaged tuna-and-crackers snacks but I'm worried that when I consume three a day I might be also getting a lot of mercury. Do I need to cut down? - Lee, Whangarei

A: Nutritionist Claire Turnbull, of the Healthy Food Guide, says you have nothing to worry about unless you are pregnant.

The Ministry of Primary Industries says most people don't have mercury exposure levels high enough to cause a problem because the body excretes it.

"However, unborn babies are potentially more sensitive to the harmful effects and their exposure to mercury should be limited."