People keeping an eye on salt content
If salt is your top priority when making weekend toast, compare the values per 100 g and check the drained weight of the tin you plan to serve.
Who is this choice for?
Fans of quick, savoury toast
If you want to top your toast without preparing fresh fish, the drained net weight helps you work out how much tuna you’ll have. Choose the style — whole tuna, chunks or fillets — to suit how you want to serve it.
People who put the recipe first
If you prefer tuna in oil for toast or a sandwich, compare its salt content, fat and ingredients separately with those of tuna in spring water.
What should you compare?
| What to compare | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Salt content | Compare the ‘salt’ value per 100 g for similar recipes, then take the amount you’ll serve into account. | I want to make toast with salt as my main consideration, rather than relying on the words ‘in spring water’ alone; around 50% of consumers put this first. |
| Amount to serve | Check the drained net weight and choose a tin that suits the number of people you’re serving. | I want to know how much tuna will be left once the tin is drained, so I can quickly make several slices of toast; around 30% of consumers put the amount available first. |
| Recipe and texture | Check the liquid the tuna is packed in and the ingredients. If you’re choosing between oil and water, compare the salt and fat content too. | I choose the recipe I most want in my sandwich or on my toast; around 20% of consumers put this first. |
Common misconceptions to avoid
-
Assuming ‘in spring water’ means ‘no added salt’
The Petit Navire ‘25% less salt’ product listed by Auchan contains tuna, water and salt. So, ‘in spring water’ doesn’t mean this tin is salt-free.
Read the ingredients and check the ‘salt’ value for the exact product, even if the front of the tin says ‘in spring water’.
-
Relying on ‘reduced salt’ alone
A comparative claim doesn’t tell you, on its own, how much salt is in the portion you’ll serve.
Compare the salt per 100 g in similar products, then consider how much tuna you plan to serve with the meal.
-
Comparing only the total weight of the tins
The products listed by Auchan and Carrefour contain 112 g and 140 g of drained tuna respectively. This is the amount of tuna available once the tin has been drained.
Check the drained net weight to choose a tin that’s right for your toast and the number of people you’re serving.
-
Treating tuna in oil as equivalent to tuna in spring water
The liquid the tuna is packed in and its ingredients vary by recipe. Choosing tuna in oil for its flavour doesn’t mean it’s also reduced in salt.
If you’re deciding between the two recipes, compare their ingredients, salt and fat per 100 g.
Brands to consider
Petit Navire
The brand offers whole tuna in spring water labelled ‘25% less salt’.
- For this specific product, Auchan lists 0.5 g of salt per 100 g, 112 g drained net weight, and tuna, water and salt as the ingredients.
- These details don’t apply to every Petit Navire tin, so check the specific product you choose.
Carrefour
Carrefour offers whole albacore tuna in spring water labelled ‘25% less salt’.
- Carrefour’s product information lists a 200 g tin, with 140 g drained net weight.
- To compare this product with another, check the salt per 100 g on the label of the product you choose.
Saupiquet
Saupiquet’s tuna range includes products in spring water, as fillets, flakes or in sauce.
- These options let you choose the style of tuna you want for toast or a sandwich.
- If reducing salt is a priority, check the claim and salt content of the specific product.
Sol&Mar (Lidl)
Lidl offers tuna in sunflower oil under this brand, with MSC certification, for dishes such as sandwiches and salads.
- This tuna in oil is an option if you’re looking for this kind of filling.
- To compare it with reduced-salt tuna, check the salt and fat content on the label of the tin you choose.
Joybuy products
Products related to this topic will be available soon.
Frequently asked questions
Does ‘in spring water’ mean ‘no added salt’?
No: ‘in spring water’ doesn’t guarantee that no salt has been added. The Petit Navire ‘25% less salt’ product listed by Auchan contains tuna, water and salt; check the ingredients and the ‘salt’ value on each tin.
How should you compare two tins of tuna for toast?
First, compare their salt content per 100 g, ideally for similar recipes. Then check the drained net weight to choose how much tuna to serve. The DGCCRF notes that nutrition information shown per 100 g makes it easier to compare products.
How should you store an opened tin of tuna?
Follow the instructions for the product you’ve bought. For the Petit Navire ‘25% less salt’ tuna listed by Auchan, the product information says to refrigerate it after opening and eat it within two days.