Who are these options for?

People who want to know what ‘organic’ refers to

You’re looking for a recipe containing organic agricultural ingredients, without confusing this with certification of the wild mackerel itself.

People who prioritise protein and a simple recipe

You compare protein per 100 g and prefer a short ingredients list, such as the one found in some plain fillets.

People who keep an eye on energy, oil and salt

You want to choose a recipe by considering all the nutritional information and the portion you’ll eat, not just the protein content.

Which criteria should you prioritise?

First, check what the organic claim applies to. Then compare the ingredients and nutritional values of recipes that meet your priorities.

Criteria What to check Who is it for?
What the organic claim covers Read the ingredients list and check which ingredients the organic claim applies to. According to the European Commission, wild-caught fish is excluded from organic production. I want to know whether the organic claim applies to the oil or the fish before choosing a recipe. This is the priority for around 42% of consumers.
Protein and ingredients Compare protein per 100 g on the same basis, then check the proportion of fish and the drained net weight. When putting together a protein-focused meal, I prefer a recipe with ingredients and portions that are easy to compare. Around 33% of consumers put this combination first.
Energy, fat and salt Compare these three values per 100 g on the same basis, and take into account the portion you’ll actually eat. If I choose a recipe in oil, I also want to know its energy and salt content. Around 25% of consumers prioritise checking these values.

Mistakes to avoid before buying

  • Confusing organic ingredients with organic mackerel

    The European Commission excludes products from wild-caught animals from organic production. On a tin of wild mackerel, the organic claim may apply to agricultural ingredients in the recipe, not to the fish.

    Check which ingredients the claim applies to in the product name and ingredients list.

  • Comparing drained and undrained values

    Saupiquet’s product information for its recipe in organic olive oil gives 15 g of protein per 100 g of product, compared with 20 g per 100 g drained. These figures don’t describe the same amount of edible product.

    Before comparing two tins, check whether their values are for the product as sold or after draining.

  • Looking at protein alone

    Protein content on its own doesn’t tell you about the energy, fat and salt in a recipe. Values can also vary depending on whether the product is shown drained or undrained.

    Look at the nutritional information alongside the portion size you plan to eat.

  • Always choosing the same fish for convenience

    For the general population, Anses recommends varying the types of fish you eat and where they come from, including when you eat oily fish such as mackerel.

    If mackerel features regularly in your meals, make sure you include other fish in your choices too.

Brands worth comparing

These products illustrate how recipes can differ. Always check the label on the specific tin you’re considering buying.

Saupiquet

The range includes mackerel fillets with organic ingredients, including a 120 g recipe in organic extra virgin olive oil.

  • Saupiquet’s product information states that the recipe contains 78% mackerel and 20% organic extra virgin olive oil, and that 20% of the ingredients of agricultural origin come from organic farming.
  • In line with the distinction made by the European Commission, this claim does not mean that the wild mackerel itself is organic.

Petit Navire

Petit Navire’s Plain Steamed Mackerel Fillets let you consider a recipe that, according to the brand, contains 99% mackerel and salt.

  • Petit Navire states that this product contains 21 g of protein per 100 g.
  • A plain recipe shouldn’t be confused with one made with organic ingredients. If this matters to you, check the claims on the product you choose.

Auchan

Auchan’s 120 g pack of plain mackerel fillets offers another point of comparison for a recipe made mostly from fish.

  • Auchan’s product information states that it contains 99% mackerel fillets, 22 g of protein and 0.9 g of salt per 100 g.
  • If you’re looking for organic ingredients, check the claim on the specific product rather than assuming it from the fact that the recipe is plain.

Carrefour

Carrefour Extra Mackerel Fillets in Brine are an example of a recipe to compare with fillets that have a higher proportion of fish.

  • Carrefour states that this product contains 59% mackerel fillets, along with water, salt and spices.
  • If the proportion of fish or organic ingredients is important to you, check these details on each specific product.

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Frequently asked questions

Can wild mackerel be labelled as organic fish?

No, not the wild fish itself. The European Commission states that products from wild-caught animals are excluded from European organic production rules. However, a tin may contain organic agricultural ingredients; the label should make it clear which ingredients are covered.

Does organic olive oil make the whole tin organic?

No: a claim relating to the oil does not certify the wild mackerel. For its recipe in organic extra virgin olive oil, Saupiquet states that it contains 78% mackerel and that 20% of the ingredients of agricultural origin come from organic farming.

How can you compare the protein in two tins of mackerel?

Compare protein per 100 g only after checking whether the values are for the drained or undrained product. Then look at the drained net weight to assess the portion. Petit Navire states that its plain steamed fillets contain 21 g per 100 g, Auchan gives 22 g per 100 g for its plain fillets, while Saupiquet states that its recipe in organic olive oil contains 20 g per 100 g drained.

Should you eat mackerel with every high-protein meal?

No: a meal containing protein doesn’t mean you have to choose mackerel every time. For the general population, Anses recommends an average of two portions of fish a week, including one portion of oily fish, while varying the species and where they come from. This general recommendation is not a substitute for advice tailored to individual circumstances.

How should you store an opened tin of mackerel?

Follow the instructions on the tin you’ve bought. For its organic olive oil product, Saupiquet recommends refrigerating it after opening and eating it within two days. Instructions may differ depending on the recipe.