If you’re looking for an environmental benchmark when choosing tinned tuna, first check for the blue MSC logo on the specific tin. A claim such as ‘committed to responsible fishing’ doesn’t necessarily mean that product is certified. For your recipe, choose tuna in water if you want to season it yourself, a no-drain option if you’d rather skip that step, or tuna in oil if you want it ready oiled. Then compare the ingredients and the amount of tuna you can use.
You want to be able to spot an environmental benchmark on the tin you choose. According to the Marine Stewardship Council, the MSC label applies to wild-caught fish from fisheries assessed against its environmental standard. Check for the logo on the specific product rather than relying on a brand’s general claims.
If you’re quickly filling a salad or making sandwiches, a product described as ready to use without draining can save you a step. Saupiquet describes its MSC whole tuna in water this way, although the recipe also contains a natural flavouring.
If you’re already adding a sauce or oil, check the ingredients before choosing between tuna in water and tuna in oil. To work out how much you’ll need, also compare the net drained weight if the tin contains a covering liquid.
For a home-cooked dinner, start with the environmental benchmark you want to see on the tin, then choose the preparation and quantity to suit the dish you have planned.
| Criterion | What to check | Shoppers who care about it |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental label | The blue MSC logo on the specific tin and the name of that product. | I want to identify the environmental benchmark for the tuna I’m serving, without confusing certification with a commitment to work towards it. Around 50% of shoppers put this criterion first. |
| Preparation and quantity | The pack size, whether it needs draining and, where applicable, the net drained weight. | When I’m preparing a dish at the last minute, I want a quantity that suits the number of guests without an unnecessary preparation step. Around 30% of shoppers put convenience first. |
| Ingredients | The ingredients, particularly any oil or flavourings, and the salt content shown in the nutritional information. | If my recipe is already seasoned, I prefer to know exactly what the tin will add. For around 20% of shoppers, ingredients and seasoning are the main consideration. |
Petit Navire describes some products as coming from a fishery involved in a programme aiming to achieve MSC certification. That doesn’t mean every tin in those ranges already carries the label.
If the label is essential for you, check that it appears on the specific product and its packaging.
For a tin containing a covering liquid, the total weight and the amount of drained fish are not the same.
Compare the net drained weight shown on the tins to work out how much tuna to add to your recipe.
The products with documented details include tuna in water, a no-drain preparation containing a natural flavouring, and tuna in sunflower oil.
Choose the preparation to suit what you plan to add to the dish, then read the ingredients on the tin you’ve selected.
E.Leclerc says that availability of its Pêche Océan product depends on the store.
Before planning a meal around a specific tin, check that it’s available and confirm the pack size at your local store or in your online basket.
The brand has details for an MSC tuna in water, which is worth considering if you want to season your own home-cooked recipe.
The brand describes its MSC whole tuna in water as ready to use without draining, and it comes in several pack sizes.
E.Leclerc lists an MSC white tuna in water, with a net drained weight of 112 g.
Lidl lists MSC skipjack tuna in sunflower oil, which is worth considering if your recipe calls for tuna that’s already been packed in oil.
These Petit Navire tins are suited to recipes using tuna in water that you can season yourself. Check the MSC claims on the product pages against the specific tin before you buy.
Image unavailable
If you want to control the seasoning in your recipe, this tuna in water gives you 112 g of drained tuna per 160 g tin.
Check that the MSC logo is on the tin you receive.
Image unavailable
This tuna in water can be added to a salad or used in sandwiches, depending on how you plan to season it.
If the MSC label is important to your choice, check that the logo appears on this specific tin. Also check its drained weight to work out how many portions it will make.
Image unavailable
This white tuna in water is another option for a salad or pasta dish that you can season to your liking.
Check the MSC logo and drained weight on the packaging before deciding how many tins you’ll need.
According to the Marine Stewardship Council, its blue label identifies wild-caught fish from fisheries independently assessed against its environmental standard. On its own, it doesn’t tell you what ingredients are in the tin, how much tuna you can use or how to season your dish.
Tuna in water is a good choice if you want to add your own oil, sauce and seasoning; tuna in oil works if you want the oil to be part of the ingredients already. Petit Navire lists an MSC product made with tuna, water and salt, while Lidl lists a Sol&Mar MSC product in sunflower oil. Check the ingredients and label on the tin you choose.
Compare the amount of fish you can use rather than judging by the tins’ overall size. For a product packed in a covering liquid, the DGCCRF says the label includes the net drained weight. Use this figure to compare pack sizes for your recipe.
Follow the storage instructions on the product you’ve bought. For its MSC whole tuna in water, Saupiquet advises refrigerating it after opening and eating it within two days. Don’t assume the same storage time applies to every brand.