Who is this option for?

Anyone keeping an eye on salt at lunchtime

You’re looking for tuna in spring water with a reduced-salt claim to add to a salad or sandwich. The salt content per 100 g helps you compare tins beyond what the claim says.

Anyone putting together a quick portion

You want to know how much tuna you’ll have after draining it, as well as the protein content shown on the packaging, so you can plan your lunch.

Anyone without easy access to a sink

You’d prefer an option labelled as ready to eat without draining. Check this convenience separately from any reduced-salt claim.

What should you look for?

When choosing canned tuna for lunch at the office, start with what matters most to you: reducing salt, knowing your portion size or avoiding the need to drain it.

What to consider What to check Who it matters to
Reduced salt Look for a reduced-salt claim, then check the salt content per 100 g and the drained weight you’ll eat. If my main aim is to cut down on salt at lunch, the words “in spring water” alone aren’t enough to help me choose. Around 46% of consumers with this priority would put reduced salt first.
Portion size and protein Compare the drained net weight and the protein content per 100 g. When I’m making a salad for one, I want to know how much tuna I’ll be eating and what the label says about protein. Around 36% of consumers would prioritise portion size and protein.
Ease of preparation Check for a “no draining required” claim and look at the salt content before choosing this format. Without a sink at the office, I’d rather open the tin without having to deal with the liquid, even though that tells me nothing about the salt content. Convenience would come first for around 18% of consumers.

Mistakes to avoid

  • Assuming a reduced-salt claim means the tuna is low in salt

    A “−25%” claim compares the product with a similar one. On its own, it doesn’t tell you how much salt is in the portion you eat.

    Check the “salt” line in the nutrition information per 100 g, then work out how much that means for the drained portion you plan to eat.

  • Confusing the weight of the tin with the weight of the tuna you’ll eat

    The total weight includes the liquid. Among the products reviewed, some tins list a drained tuna weight of 112 g or 140 g.

    To choose your portion, check the drained net weight on the specific product you’re buying.

  • Only checking the salt in the tuna

    Salt in a sauce or side dish adds to the salt in the tin, contributing to the total in your lunch.

    Check the nutrition information for your sides too, and taste your meal before adding salt.

  • Always choosing tuna as your lunchtime fish

    Anses recommends eating a variety of fish species from different sources. It also advises taking particular care with tuna if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you’re choosing fish for very young children.

    Vary the fish you eat and, if this advice applies to you, check Anses recommendations for your circumstances.

Brands to consider for these products

Petit Navire

Petit Navire’s Whole Tuna in Spring Water, 25% Less Salt, combines a reduced-salt claim with declared nutrition values.

  • For this product, Petit Navire lists 0.5 g of salt and 25 g of protein per 100 g. Its ingredients are tuna, water and salt.
  • These values apply to this specific product. Check the label if you choose a different Petit Navire tuna.

Phare d’Eckmühl

Phare d’Eckmühl’s White Tuna in Spring Water, Reduced Salt, claims to contain 50% less salt.

  • The brand lists albacore tuna and water as ingredients, with a drained weight of 112 g.
  • This product also lists 5 g of fat per 100 g drained. Compare the nutrition values according to what matters for your meal.

Carrefour

Carrefour’s Whole Skipjack Tuna in Spring Water carries a “−25% salt” claim on its 200 g tin.

  • For this product, Carrefour lists 140 g of drained tuna and gives skipjack tuna and water as the ingredients.
  • To compare the salt content with another tin, check the “salt” value on the packaging you buy. Don’t try to work it out from the reduction percentage alone.

Saupiquet

Saupiquet’s MSC Whole Tuna in Spring Water focuses on a different lunchtime priority: it’s presented as ready to eat without draining.

  • This means you don’t have to drain the tuna before preparing your meal.
  • The product reviewed lists 1 g of salt per 100 g and doesn’t carry a reduced-salt claim. Don’t mistake convenience for a reduced-salt option.

Related Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Does “25% less salt” mean the tuna is low in salt?

No. The claim means there’s less salt than in a similar product; it doesn’t mean the salt content is low in absolute terms. The European Commission says a reduced-salt claim must be based on a reduction of at least 25%. Also check the “salt” value per 100 g and take your portion size into account.

Which format should I choose if there’s no sink at the office?

Look for a product explicitly labelled as requiring no draining if you can’t easily tip away the liquid. Check its salt content separately: Saupiquet MSC Whole Tuna in Spring Water, which is presented as not needing to be drained, isn’t labelled as reduced in salt.

How should I store canned tuna after opening?

Follow the storage instructions on the tin you’ve bought, as they can vary by product. If you’re keeping any tuna after opening, check the guidance on transferring it to a suitable container, refrigerating it and how soon to eat it.

Is tuna suitable for lunch every day during pregnancy?

Anses recommends that pregnant and breastfeeding women limit their intake of wild predatory fish, including tuna. When planning your meals, follow its specific advice rather than making tuna an everyday choice.