For a festival, start by choosing an individual tin with a drained net weight that matches how much you plan to eat. If you won’t have a way to deal with the liquid, a product explicitly described as already drained makes mealtimes easier; a standard tuna in spring water is also suitable if its contents and size work with your accompaniments. Check the opening mechanism and storage instructions. If you can’t keep food chilled, plan to finish the tin once it’s open.
If you want a quick meal without having to dispose of liquid, look for products described as already drained. Petit Navire and Saupiquet describe products that can be eaten without draining; check that this is stated on the tin you choose.
If you’re having tuna with bread, crackers, rice or salad, the drained net weight can help you choose a tin that’s right for the amount you plan to use. Carrefour, for example, offers individual tins with drained net weights of 93 g and 140 g.
If this label matters to you, check for it on the specific product. Petit Navire and Saupiquet offer tuna in spring water bearing the MSC label, but the label doesn’t tell you about portion size or ease of opening.
When choosing a tin to eat at a festival, start with the portion size and your mealtime setup, then compare the recipe and the information on the packaging.
| Criteria | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| No draining needed | Look for a clear ‘already drained’ statement and check how the tin opens. | If there’s no water point, I want to eat without having to drain the tin or deal with splashes; around 36% of consumers would make avoiding the need to drain their priority. |
| A portion with no leftovers | Compare the drained net weight and make sure you’re buying an individual tin if you only want one. | If I can’t keep leftovers chilled, I want an amount that suits my meal. Portion size would be the top priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Meal recipe | Read the ingredients and nutritional information per 100 g; also check the covering liquid, if there is one. | When putting together my cold meal, I want to know what I’m adding to my accompaniments; around 21% of consumers would put this choice first. |
| MSC label | Look for the label on the specific product, then compare its size and recipe separately. | If fishing practices guide my purchase, I check the tin I plan to take with me. This label would be a priority for around 14% of consumers. |
The weight of the contents including the covering liquid isn’t the same as the amount of tuna you’ll have after draining. The DGCCRF states that the drained net weight is shown when a food is presented in a covering liquid.
To compare two portions, check the drained net weight on each pack rather than relying on the net weight alone or counting the tins.
Any leftovers need to be stored according to the instructions for after opening. For its MSC whole tuna in spring water, Saupiquet advises keeping it in the fridge and consuming it within two days of opening.
If you can’t keep it chilled, choose an amount you plan to finish and follow the instructions on the tin you take with you.
‘Already drained’ applies to some products, not all tins of tuna in spring water. A recipe containing water may leave you with liquid to deal with at mealtime.
If you won’t have access to a sink or a sieve, look for a clear statement on the product you buy.
These ranges give you a few options to compare for size and recipe; details vary by product.
The range includes tuna in spring water that’s already drained, tuna in spring water bearing the MSC label, and plain steamed tuna.
The MSC whole tuna in spring water range comes in several sizes, including 93 g, 112 g, 140 g, 186 g and 280 g.
A product made with whole tuna in spring water lets you compare a standard tin with varieties described as already drained.
Compare the drained net weight with how much you want to eat and the accompaniments you have planned. Carrefour, for example, offers products in spring water with drained net weights of 93 g and 140 g; neither size is a one-size-fits-all portion.
Before opening, follow the storage instructions for the product you’re taking. For its MSC whole tuna in spring water, Saupiquet advises storing it in a cool, dry place away from heat; once opened, it must be refrigerated and consumed within two days. If you can’t keep it chilled, open an amount you plan to finish.
No, not automatically. The DGCCRF states that a product can be consumed after its best-before date if the packaging is intact, although its flavour may deteriorate. Check the condition of the tin and follow its storage instructions.
First, check the drained net weight if there’s a covering liquid, then look at the ingredients, nutritional information, date and storage instructions. The DGCCRF highlights the importance of drained net weight for foods presented in liquid: it helps you compare the amount you’ll have for your meal.
No. Petit Navire and Saupiquet offer products bearing this label, but it doesn’t tell you the portion weight, whether there’s liquid or how the tin opens. Check these details on the specific product you plan to take with you.