What is the difference between tuna and albacore?

Albacore is a type of tuna. It is distinguished from chunk light tuna in that chunk light tuna is typically made from the skipjack species. Canned albacore tuna contains higher amounts of mercury than chunk light tuna, as albacore are larger and live longer.

The recommended amount of consumption for adults of canned light tuna is no more than 12 ounces per week, while it is just 6 ounces per week for canned albacore tuna. Canned albacore tuna contains 0.35 parts per million of mercury, while canned light tuna contains 0.12 ppm. The human body removes mercury from the bloodstream at a slow rate.