Festival-goers with nowhere to keep leftovers chilled
Choosing an amount you can finish in a sandwich, salad or wrap makes mealtimes easier. If you don’t finish the tin, you’ll need to be able to follow its storage instructions once opened.
Who are these criteria useful for?
Consumers keeping an eye on sugar and salt
Check the “of which sugars” line and salt content for the specific product you’re considering. Some product listings for tuna in spring water show 0 g of sugars per 100 g, while salt levels vary between products, including those from Saupiquet and Petit Navire.
Consumers interested in how the tuna is caught
MSC certification, a fishery improvement programme and information about fishing methods are not the same thing. Check the claim on the specific tin you’re buying.
What should you check before buying?
For a festival meal, start with a portion you can finish or store safely. Then compare the recipe and, if it matters to you, any information on the tin about how the tuna was sourced.
| Criteria | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Pack size and storage | Compare the drained weight with the amount you expect to eat. Read the instructions for after opening and make sure you can keep it chilled if you won’t finish the tin. | If I can’t refrigerate leftovers, I want to be able to finish the tin with my meal. Around 40% of consumers would make this their top priority. |
| Ingredients and nutrition | Check the ingredients, “of which sugars”, salt and fat per 100 g for the exact product. | If I’m comparing tuna in spring water with tuna in oil or sauce, I want to know what each one contains. This would be the top priority for around 30% of consumers. |
| Fishing practices | Look for the exact claim on the tin: MSC certification, a fishery improvement programme or information about fishing methods. | I want to understand the approach associated with the tuna I’m taking with me, without assuming that a claim on one product applies to an entire brand. Around 30% of consumers would put this first. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Relying on a “reduced sugar” claim alone
Saupiquet tuna fillets in spring water and Petit Navire whole tuna in spring water with 25% less salt each list 0 g of sugars per 100 g on their respective product pages. This doesn’t apply to every tuna recipe.
For the tin you’re considering, compare the ingredients and nutrition information per 100 g, particularly “of which sugars”, salt and fat.
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Opening a large tin without planning how to store the leftovers
Once opened, a tin needs to be handled differently from a sealed one. Storage instructions after opening vary by product.
Choose an amount you can finish with your meal, or make sure you can keep the leftovers chilled and transfer them to another container if the product instructions require it. For a picnic, the DGCCRF recommends using a cool box.
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Assuming the total weight is the weight of the fish
The total weight includes the liquid the tuna is packed in. For example, a Petit Navire product listed on Joybuy weighs 160 g in total, with a drained weight of 112 g.
When planning portions, compare the drained weights where they’re provided.
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Treating all fishing claims as certifications
MSC certification, a fishery improvement programme and a claim that the tuna was caught without a fish aggregating device describe different approaches, applying only to the specific products that carry those claims.
Check the wording and what it applies to on the packaging of the tuna you choose.
Brands to compare
Petit Navire
The range includes tuna in spring water with different characteristics depending on the product.
- The Petit Navire product page for whole tuna in spring water with 25% less salt lists 0 g of sugars and 0.5 g of salt per 100 g.
- The fishery claim on this product shouldn’t be confused with the MSC certification carried by another product from the brand.
Saupiquet
Saupiquet offers tuna fillets and whole tuna in spring water, among other options.
- The Saupiquet product page for tuna fillets in spring water lists 0 g of sugars and 1.1 g of salt per 100 g.
- Another product, Thon entier nature MSC, is described by Auchan as not requiring draining. Check this detail for the variant you choose.
Auchan
The retailer offers tuna fillets in spring water, as well as a Cultivons le Bon product with information about its sourcing.
- The product page for tuna fillets in spring water lists less than 0.5 g of sugars and 0.71 g of salt per 100 g.
- The claim that the tuna was caught in free-swimming schools without a fish aggregating device applies to the relevant Cultivons le Bon product, not the whole range.
Carrefour
The Carrefour Classic’ and Carrefour Extra ranges include whole tuna in spring water, including an Extra product bearing the MSC claim.
- Carrefour product pages list drained net weights of 140 g for the relevant Classic’ product and 112 g for the Extra product.
- To compare their ingredients and nutrition, check the information on each tin you’re considering.
Canned tuna to consider on Joybuy
These products offer several useful options for a festival meal: a 93 g pack, tuna in spring water bearing the MSC claim and a recipe made with sunflower oil. Compare how much you’ll eat and the recipe before choosing a tin.
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Saupiquet Whole Tuna in Spring Water, 93 g
The 93 g pack is worth considering if you want to finish the tin with your meal. If you have any left over, Saupiquet advises transferring it to a non-metallic container, covering it and refrigerating it.
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Petit Navire Tuna in Spring Water MSC, 160 g total, 112 g drained
If the MSC claim matters to you, check that it appears on the tin you receive. The 112 g drained weight helps you work out how much fish you’ll have for your meal, rather than relying on the total weight of 160 g.
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Petit Navire White Tuna in Spring Water MSC, 112 g
This product combines white tuna in spring water with the MSC claim. To work out how much fish you’ll have per person, check whether the stated 112 g is the total weight or the drained weight.
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Petit Navire White Tuna in Spring Water, 140 g
White tuna in spring water makes a handy base for a festival salad or sandwich. Check the drained weight to plan your portions, and look out for any bones when serving.
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Petit Navire Whole Tuna in Sunflower Oil, 160 g
Choose this tuna in sunflower oil if you’d prefer this type of recipe to tuna in spring water. To compare the two recipes or plan a portion, check the fat per 100 g and the tin’s drained weight.
Frequently asked questions
Should you look for “reduced sugar” canned tuna?
No. That phrase alone isn’t enough to help you choose a recipe. Product pages for some Saupiquet and Petit Navire tuna in spring water list 0 g of sugars per 100 g. For a different recipe, check its own ingredients and “of which sugars” information.
Can you leave an opened tin of tuna out all day at a festival?
No. Don’t leave leftovers open at room temperature. Refrigerate them and follow the instructions for the product you’ve chosen, particularly if they say to transfer the contents to another container. If you can’t keep them chilled, plan to finish the tin with your meal.
Are there any special precautions for canned tuna during pregnancy or for young children?
Yes. Anses lists tuna among the predatory fish covered by specific advice for pregnant or breastfeeding women and children under three. Check its detailed guidance for the relevant precautions, rather than using the information on a single tin to decide how often to eat it.
Which weight should you compare when making sandwiches?
Compare the drained weight where it’s given. This helps you work out how much fish you’ll have, while the total weight also includes the liquid the tuna is packed in. For example, a Petit Navire product listed on Joybuy weighs 160 g in total, with a drained weight of 112 g.