The History Channel is home to some world class programs but in last night’s episode of Modern Marvels the highly regarded outfit made some world class mistakes. In keeping with its highly regarded reputation we expect producers there to correct their mistakes and the record.

See our letter to History via A & E Television Networks below:

February 5, 2010

Dawn Porter

Vice President

A&E Television networks

VIA Email

Dear Ms. Porter,

We are extremely disappointed to be contacting you concerning several errors featured in the History Channel’s “Modern Marvels” episode on canned tuna. While we appreciated your prompt attention to our concerns on February 4^th, it is imperative that the program be re-edited to prevent future distribution of factual inaccuracies. Additionally, clarifying at the very outset of the package that bluefin tuna is not and has never been part of the canned varieties of tuna that Americans eat is essential to providing an accurate story for your viewers.

As you have been made aware, despite the original “Modern Marvels” reporting, the FDA states in its recently released draft report on commercial fish that the very latest science shows that the vast majority of methylmercury found in ocean fish, of which tuna is one, comes from natural environmental sources-not the pollution that affects sport-caught fish found in internal waterways like lakes and streams. Despite the fluctuations associated with overt pollution, the FDA states that the trace levels of methylmercury in commercial fish have remained the same.

The FDA is not the only group that has weighed in on this issue. After a thorough review of the science, California courts ruled twice that virtually all the trace amounts of methylmercury found, in canned tuna specifically, is “naturally occurring.” An appellate court ruling explicitly states, “following a six-week bench trial, with a parade of expert witnesses, the trial court handed the Tuna Companies a complete victory” based on the fact that, “the amount of methylmercury in canned tuna does not rise to the threshold level that would trigger the warning requirement for this chemical; and virtually all methylmercury is naturally occurring.'” These rulings were well publicized and should have been part of the “Modern Marvels” research. To report otherwise is an egregious failure to follow basic journalism tenets.

Likewise, the show misstates the FDA/EPA advice on seafood consumption. Specificity and complete accuracy is essential when reporting nutrition advice from trusted public health sources. Modern Marvels erred in its attempt to do so. The FDA/EPA advice for seafood consumption is not directed at the general population and, as reported, “particularly pregnant women and young children.” It is directed only at pregnant women and young children. The FDA/EPA research and recommendations are tailored to only this very specific sensitive subpopulation and are absolutely not meant for the public at large. To state or suggest otherwise is erroneous.

Furthermore, canned tuna is characterized as a high mercury product, when the FDA’s own research reveals this is not the case. The inclusion of canned tuna in the FDA/EPA advice comes simply as a result of the volume that is consumed, not the levels found in individual fish. A simple review of FDA research would have found that, while the federal limit for mercury in seafood is 1.0 ppm, the average levels found in canned light tuna is 0.118 ppm and the average level found in canned albacore is 0.353 ppm. Both levels are well outside the FDA’s designation of “Fish and Shellfish with highest levels of mercury.” This perspective calls into question the entire relevance of featuring the mercury aspect in the production.

As a journalism professional with extensive media standards experience, I am confident you are well versed in the problems associated with “misleading” impressions. As recently as January of 2005 a report of the Independent Review Panel on CBS News found a paramount problem with the, now infamous, 60 Minutes segment titled “For The Record,” was that it created “misleading” impressions (p127). Whether outright falsehoods about the source of methylmercury in canned tuna or distorted production that leaves the illusion for a time that bluefin tuna is used in canning, the viewer is left with misleading impressions about a safe healthy source of protein that is packed with essential omega-3’s.

In an effort to uphold standards that include unflinching accuracy, we ask that the History Channel immediately cease further broadcast of this piece, reedit the inaccuracies we have highlighted for any future consideration and post a clarification on line for viewers who may have originally been misinformed.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Gavin Gibbons

National Fisheries Institute