Question 1

What is MyGourmet Tuna's Dolphin-Safe policy?

Accepted Answer

MyGourmet Tuna is fully committed to a 100% dolphin-safe policy that was implemented in April 1990. We will not purchase any tuna from vessels that net fish associated with dolphins.
 
MyGourmet Tuna purchasing agreements require certification of dolphin-safe fishing practices from all tuna suppliers.
The U.S. government dolphin-safe regulations are in the process of being modified through the International Dolphin Conservation Program which will allow for less stringent dolphin-safe regulations.
 
Despite the new, less stringent criteria, MyGourmet Tuna remains committed to the “no encirclement” policy. The commitment of MyGourmet Tuna to dolphin-safety will remain unchanged regardless of the new law.

Question 2

What does dolphin-safe mean?

Accepted Answer

At one time, methods of fishing swept the oceans of all life in its wake; fish, mammals, etc. Unfortunately, the dolphin was the one group being greatly devastated. Over the years, the International Environmental Community established a program to be adopted by all countries engaged in farming the sea.
 
Dolphin-safe is defined by the following factors:
Drift nets are not used.
There are no purse seine sets made on dolphin through an entire fishing trip.
An observer from the National Marine Fishery Service and/or Inter American Tropical Tuna Commission certifies fishing vessels and trips in the Eastern Tropical Pacific.
Dolphin-safe fishing methods are long line, pole and line, and the purse seine method in the Eastern Tropical Pacific with certification only.
As with “all” MyGourmet Tuna products, each is certifiably dolphin-safe and the labeling on our products proudly display the “dolphin-safe” indication symbol.

Question 3

What is the shelf-life of MyGourmet Tuna?

Accepted Answer

Commercially canned or pouched tuna may be safely stored for several years under normal conditions as long as the container is not bulged, damaged or leaking in any manner.
 
Our concern with long prolonged periods of storage is that the product may begin to lose some of its palatability.
 
MyGourmet Tuna recommends that all canned tuna inventories be rotated every 1 to 2 years to assure the best quality.

Question 4

Can MyGourmet Tuna be frozen?

Accepted Answer

It is “not” considered advisable to freeze tuna in cans or in vacuum-sealed pouches.
 
However, once the container is opened, any unused contents should be placed in a sealed container and refrigerated. The tuna should be used within 3 to 4 days.

Question 5

Is there mercury in canned tuna?

Accepted Answer

Many types of seafood contain a minute amount of mercury called “methyl Mercury”, including tuna. The mercury levels depend on the size and age of the fish. Generally, the larger older fish are more likely to have higher contaminant levels. Canned white meat or albacore tuna also comes from larger fish. Albacore may have somewhat higher mercury levels than light or chunked tuna which comes from smaller skipjack and yellowfin tuna.
 
To address this concern, MyGourmet Tuna uses the smaller skipjack and yellowfin tuna in all its recipes.

Question 6

Who monitors the levels of mercury in our food supply?

Accepted Answer

All health and safety standards are set and monitored by the FDA, which has established the maximum safety level of methyl mercury allowed in commercial seafood consumption at 1.0 parts per million. This level is found most often in large predator fish.
By using skipjack and yellowfin tuna in its recipes, MyGourmet Tuna is able to keep the mercury level from 0.01 parts per million (ppm) to 0.5 ppm ~ far less than the health and safety standards set by the FDA.

Question 7

Which fish have more mercury?

Accepted Answer

All fish contain some mercury, but you should avoid eating too much high-mercury fish.
 
Here’s the limit on how much adults should consume:
Nomore than one serving per week of fish with a level of 1 part per million (ppm) of mercury
Or no more than two servings per week of fish with a mercury level of 0.5 ppm.
Pregnant and nursing women should consume one-fourth that much.
Don’t know how many “parts per million” are in your favorite kind of fish? See the chart to the right for types of fish and their mercury concentration.

Question 8

Is there MSG in any of MyGourmet Tuna products?

Accepted Answer

No. MyGourmet Tuna forbids MSG to be added to any of our products in any form.

Question 9

What is Omega-3?

Accepted Answer

Omega-3 fatty acids are polyunsaturated fatty acids that occur predominantly in deep-sea saltwater fish. These fatty acids appear to have a positive effect on heart rhythm and may even reduce the incidence of the most common type of stroke. Current research shows Omega-3 may reduce the risk of heart disease.

Question 10

If I have other questions or comments about MyGourmet products, how do I contact you?"

Accepted Answer

Please call the MyGourmet Products Consumer Resource Center 1-408-585-8400, Monday – Friday between the hours of 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. PST or email us at info@gourmettuna.com

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Frequently asked questions