If you’re looking for wild mackerel that’s itself certified organic for your evening, a tin of wild-caught fish won’t meet that criterion: the DGCCRF excludes products from wild-caught species from organic certification. Instead, choose based on which agricultural ingredients in the recipe are labelled organic and how you plan to season it. A recipe with olive oil leaves room for your own additions, while a marinade already comes with its own herbs and spices.
You want to know whether ‘organic’ describes the fish or an ingredient in the recipe. The DGCCRF explains that products from wild-caught species cannot be certified organic, so check which agricultural ingredients are covered on the label.
You’re putting together a menu inspired by world cuisine and want to add your own spices, citrus, herbs or sauce. A short ingredient list with olive oil can make a good starting point; check the ingredients before you choose.
You want to serve the fillets with minimal preparation. Compare the herbs, spices and vinegar already in the recipe, as well as the proportion of mackerel and the storage instructions after opening.
For your evening, start by clarifying what you expect the word ‘organic’ to mean, then choose a recipe that works with the seasonings you plan to prepare.
| Criterion | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| What ‘organic’ refers to | Look for the fish and any agricultural ingredients labelled organic; check their proportions when listed. | I want to understand what the organic label covers before choosing my tin. Around 50% of consumers put this distinction first. |
| How it fits the menu | Compare a recipe with olive oil against a marinade that already contains herbs, spices or vinegar. | If I’m making my own sauce, I’d rather choose the flavours added to the mackerel myself. For a quick starter, a ready-seasoned marinade may suit me. Around 30% of consumers put finding a good match for their menu first. |
| Ingredients and serving | Read the allergen and salt information, then check the storage instructions for your chosen product once opened. | When sharing a meal, I need to consider my guests and know how to store an opened tin. Around 20% of consumers put these precautions ahead of other criteria. |
The DGCCRF states that products from wild-caught species cannot be certified organic. On a tin of wild mackerel, the label may refer to agricultural ingredients in the recipe, not the fish.
Read the product name and ingredients list to see exactly which oil, herbs or other ingredients are labelled organic.
A recipe that’s already vinegary or spicy can be convenient to serve, but its flavours may not work with the sauce you had planned.
If you want to create your own seasoning, look for a short ingredient list with olive oil. If you plan to serve the fillets as they are, compare the herbs and spices in the marinades.
Mackerel is a fish, so it’s not suitable for anyone with a fish allergy. Once opened, a tin should be stored and eaten according to the instructions on its own label.
Let any guests concerned know, avoid contact between foods when serving, and follow the refrigeration and use-by instructions after opening.
The range of mackerel fillets with organic ingredients includes an olive oil recipe, which is worth considering if you’d like to customise the seasoning.
The marinated recipe may suit a starter that you want to serve with little extra preparation.
The plain and seasoned recipes give you options to compare when preparing the menu matters more than choosing organic ingredients.
No. The DGCCRF states that products from wild-caught species cannot be considered organic. For a tin of wild mackerel, distinguish the fish from any organic agricultural ingredients in the recipe.
In the olive oil version described by Saupiquet, the extra virgin olive oil is organic and makes up 20% of the product, which also contains 78% mackerel fillets. This does not mean the wild fish is certified organic.
A recipe with a short ingredient list and olive oil lets you choose which spices, herbs or citrus to add. If you’d rather serve the fillets without any extra preparation, check the herbs and spices in a marinade to make sure they suit your menu.
Follow the instructions on the tin you’ve bought and keep any leftovers in a suitable food container in the fridge. Auchan’s product information for Saupiquet olive oil fillets recommends storage between 0 and 4 °C and eating within 48 hours of opening; these instructions apply to that product.
No. An organic label on an agricultural ingredient in the recipe does not, by itself, describe how the wild mackerel was caught. If this matters to you, look for separate information about the fishing method for the product you’re considering.