Who is this choice for?

Parents of toddlers who are already eating solid foods

They want to include fish in a family dinner while adjusting its texture and checking every portion for bones. Ameli describes how food textures progress as children are weaned onto solid foods.

Parents who prefer a short ingredients list

They compare the proportion of fish, the salt content and any added ingredients. For example, the ingredients list for Petit Navire plain fillets states 99% mackerel fillets and salt.

Consumers who look out for organic labelling

They want to know whether the claim applies to the fish or to added agricultural ingredients. Agence BIO explains that the production conditions of wild-caught fish cannot be controlled in the same way as those of organically farmed products.

What should you check before choosing?

Plain fillets

Choose these if: you want to see at a glance which ingredients have been added to a simple recipe.

Bear in mind: a plain recipe is not necessarily organic, and you still need to check for bones.

A recipe made with organic ingredients

Consider this if: the organic status of the oil or other added ingredients matters to you.

Bear in mind: according to Agence BIO, this does not mean the wild mackerel itself is certified organic.

A different type of fish

Consider this if: you have already served mackerel and want to vary the types of fish you eat.

Bear in mind: this approach, recommended by Anses and Manger Bouger, applies across meals, not just to the choice of one tin.

For a toddler who is already eating solid foods, check the texture and look for bones before comparing recipes by their ingredients and what the organic claim actually means.

What to consider What to check Who is this for?
Texture and bones Check every portion, remove any bones you find and adapt the texture to your child’s abilities. When a child is learning to chew, being able to adjust each mouthful and remove bones matters more than the recipe. Around 42% of consumers preparing this dinner would make this their priority.
What the organic claim covers Read the product name and check exactly which ingredients are labelled organic; look for certification marks if you want the product itself to be certified. If you want to choose a recipe made with organic oil without confusing the oil with the wild fish, you need to understand what the claim covers. Around 25% of consumers would put this distinction first.
Ingredients Compare the proportion of mackerel, the salt content and any added ingredients, particularly those identified as allergens. If you want to include fish in a meal and keep added ingredients easy to identify, the length of the ingredients list matters more. Around 33% of consumers would prioritise this simplicity.

Things to avoid getting wrong

  • Assuming “made with organic ingredients” means “organic wild mackerel”

    Agence BIO distinguishes between organic agricultural ingredients and wild-caught fish, whose production conditions cannot be controlled in the same way.

    Read the full product name and ingredients list to see exactly what the organic claim refers to.

  • Choosing a sauce without checking its ingredients

    A recipe in oil or sauce contains additional ingredients to consider, some of which may be identified as allergens.

    Compare the label of the recipe you are considering with a plain option, then adapt the fish and what you serve with it to suit your child.

  • Always serving the same type of fish

    Anses recommends varying the species of fish you eat, while Manger Bouger advises alternating oily and white fish.

    Think about which fish you have served during the week before choosing what to serve at your next meal.

  • Assuming tinned fillets are bone-free

    The shape of a fillet does not remove the need to check each portion. Ameli also explains that the textures a child can manage develop gradually during weaning.

    Check the fish, remove any bones you find, then mash or flake it to suit your child’s current abilities.

Brands and retailers to know

Petit Navire

The brand offers plain steamed mackerel fillets, as well as recipes in oil or sauce.

  • The brand lists 99% mackerel fillets and salt for its plain option.
  • A short ingredients list does not prove that a product is certified organic or that its portion size and salt content suit every child.

Saupiquet

The brand offers plain fillets and recipes featuring organic agricultural ingredients.

  • Auchan’s listing for the 120 g recipe in organic olive oil states 78% mackerel, 20% extra virgin organic olive oil and salt.
  • The oil’s organic status does not mean that the wild mackerel is certified organic.

Carrefour

The retailer stocks tinned mackerel from different brands and in a range of recipes, including one described as having an organic marinade.

  • The options shown make it possible to compare plain and seasoned recipes.
  • If a product is labelled organic, check the name and ingredients of the option you choose.

E.Leclerc

The retailer has an “Organic Village Sardines and Mackerel” category.

  • This category makes it easy to find products to check individually.
  • Check the label on the tin you choose to find out what it contains and what its organic claims cover.

Auchan

The retailer offers plain mackerel fillets under its own brand, as well as Saupiquet recipes made with organic ingredients.

  • Auchan’s listing for its 120 g plain fillets states 99% mackerel fillets and salt.
  • For this product, the listing says to refrigerate it after opening and use within two days. Follow the label on the tin you buy.

Joybuy products related to this topic

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Can you serve mackerel to a toddler?

Mackerel can be one of the fish served to a child who has started eating solid foods, as long as you adapt the texture and check for bones. Manger Bouger lists it as an oily fish and recommends alternating oily and white fish; Anses also advises varying the species you eat.

Does a tin “made with organic ingredients” contain organic mackerel?

Not necessarily: the claim may refer to the oil or other added agricultural ingredients. Agence BIO explains that the production conditions of wild-caught fish cannot be controlled; check the product name and ingredients on the tin to see exactly what is described as organic.

How should you prepare tinned mackerel for this dinner?

Check the portion carefully, remove any bones you find and adapt the texture to your child’s abilities. Ameli describes how, between 8 months and 3 years, children progress from puréed foods to mashed foods and then small pieces. Age alone does not tell you what your child can manage to eat.

How should you store an opened tin of mackerel?

Follow the instructions for the product you have bought. For its plain mackerel fillets, Auchan’s listing says to refrigerate after opening and use within two days. Check the label before applying this time limit to another tin.