People putting together their own lunch
For a salad, bowl or sandwich where you choose the seasoning, check the recipe, nutritional values per 100 g and drained weight of the specific product.
Who are these options for?
People who prefer clearly visible pieces
If the way the tuna looks on your plate matters, distinguish between whole tuna, tinned fillets and flakes. ‘Tuna fillets’ in a tin are not fresh, raw fillets.
People planning a quick lunch
A product that’s already drained can save you a step. Also check how much you need and what to do if you don’t finish the tin.
What should you check before buying?
First decide whether you want to add your own oil or sauce, then compare the drained weight, the style of the tuna pieces and the storage instructions after opening. Check each product’s nutritional values on the same basis, such as per 100 g.
| What to compare | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Recipe and nutritional values | Ingredients; protein, fat and salt per 100 g. | If I want to control the seasoning myself, the difference between tuna in spring water and tuna in oil matters to my choice. Around 33% of consumers put this control over the recipe and nutritional values first. |
| Style of the tuna pieces | Whether it is labelled ‘whole’, ‘fillets’ or ‘flakes’; any mention of bones. | For a salad where the tuna stays visible, I prefer to choose the style of the pieces before buying. Texture and appearance are said to be the priority for around 20% of consumers. |
| Preparation and storage | Whether draining is needed; product-specific instructions and storage time after opening. | When lunch needs to be ready quickly, skipping the draining step and knowing what to do with leftovers make a difference. Around 27% of consumers prioritise this convenience. |
| Quantity and labelling | Net and drained weight; ingredients, nutritional values and date shown on the tin. | If I’m making a single portion, I want to know how much usable tuna there is and avoid opening more than I need. This choice of pack size and label information is said to be a priority for around 20% of consumers. |
Which common mix-ups should you avoid?
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Mistaking tinned fillets for fresh fish
The tinned tuna fillets from Saupiquet are prepared pieces, ready to add to a meal. They are not a substitute for raw fillet in a recipe that involves cooking fresh fish on the day.
If your recipe calls for fresh fish, look in the fishmonger’s category and check the use-by date, storage conditions and cooking instructions for the product you choose.
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Comparing tins by net weight alone
Net weight and drained weight don’t tell you the same thing about how much tuna you’ll have on your plate.
To plan your portion, compare the drained weight where it’s shown for the products you’re considering, and allow for any leftovers.
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Treating an opened tin like an unopened one
Instructions vary by product. For its Pouce whole skipjack tuna in spring water, Auchan advises transferring leftovers to an airtight container, keeping them at +4 °C and eating them within 24 h.
Check the instructions on your tin before planning several meals around its contents.
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Treating tuna in oil the same as tuna in spring water
Oil is part of the recipe: E.Leclerc’s Pêche Océan tuna in sunflower oil contains 33.9% sunflower oil, according to the ingredients list.
Choose tuna in spring water if you want to add your own seasoning. For tuna in oil, read the ingredients list and nutritional values on the tin you choose.
Brands to know when comparing
Petit Navire
The range includes products in spring water and ready-drained options. Compare the recipe and pack format separately.
- Petit Navire lists ‘tuna, water, salt’ for the product in spring water shown on its website.
- These ingredients don’t describe the whole range; the brand also notes that bones may remain in the product concerned.
Saupiquet
Saupiquet offers tuna fillets in spring water, as well as other styles of tinned tuna.
- Saupiquet says its fillets in spring water are cut and packed by hand.
- Ingredients vary by product: Auchan’s Saupiquet whole tuna in spring water with MSC certification includes a natural flavouring.
Carrefour Classic'
Carrefour lists a tin of whole tuna in spring water, with a drained weight of 140 g.
- The stated drained weight helps you plan how much tuna to serve.
- To compare this product with another, check the ingredients and nutritional values of both.
Pêche Océan (E.Leclerc)
E.Leclerc’s range includes yellowfin tuna in spring water with MSC certification, as well as tuna in oil.
- The yellowfin tuna in spring water with MSC certification lists ‘yellowfin tuna, water, salt’.
- The recipe in oil is different: check the exact variety rather than assuming one tin has the same ingredients as another.
Pouce (Auchan)
Auchan lists a Pouce whole skipjack tuna in spring water.
- The ingredients listed for this product are ‘skipjack tuna, water, salt’.
- After opening, Auchan advises transferring leftovers to an airtight container, storing them at +4 °C away from the tin, and eating them within 24 h.
Tinned tuna available on Joybuy
These tinned tuna options are suited to a lunch you can put together with tuna in spring water or brine. Their names indicate the different formats; check the label for each variety to compare drained weight and storage instructions after opening.
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Petit Navire MSC Tuna in Spring Water, 160 g including 112 g drained
For making a salad or sandwich with tuna in spring water. The product name distinguishes the total weight of 160 g from the drained weight of 112 g; it also carries the MSC label.
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Petit Navire Tuna in Water, 140 g
For preparing a lunch with your choice of seasoning. The stated pack size is 140 g; check the drained weight on the label if you’re comparing portions.
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Saupiquet Whole Tuna in Natural Brine, 93 g
For a cold meal if you prefer whole pieces of tuna. The stated pack size is 93 g; check the drained weight on the tin before comparing it with other pack sizes.
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Petit Navire White Tuna in Brine, 140 g
For putting together a salad or sandwich with white tuna in brine. The stated pack size is 140 g; check the drained weight of this variety to plan your portion.
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Petit Navire MSC White Tuna in Spring Water, 112 g
For a lunch you can season yourself, made with white tuna in spring water. The product name states 112 g and carries the MSC label; check whether the stated weight is net or drained before comparing quantities.
Frequently asked questions
Are tinned tuna fillets fresh fillets that need cooking?
No. Saupiquet’s tinned tuna fillets are packed ready to add straight to a dish. If you’re looking for raw fillet to cook on the day, choose fresh fish and check its storage and cooking instructions.
What should you compare between two tins for lunch?
Compare the recipe, ingredients, nutritional values on the same basis and drained weight. The style of the tuna pieces and instructions after opening also matter if you’re making a salad or planning for leftovers.
How should you store tinned tuna after opening?
Follow the instructions for the product you’ve bought rather than assuming the same storage time applies to every tin. For its Pouce whole skipjack tuna in spring water, Auchan advises transferring leftovers to an airtight container, keeping them at +4 °C and eating them within 24 h.
Can you eat the contents of a damaged tin of tuna?
Do not eat the contents of a metal tin that is bulging or shows other signs of damage. The DGCCRF notes that dents or traces of rust can indicate that the product has deteriorated.