Shoppers who pay close attention to organic claims
If you want the fish itself to be certified organic, check which ingredient the claim applies to. Agence Bio confirms that wild-caught tuna cannot be certified organic.
Who these options are for
People making savoury crêpes at home
Tuna in spring water lets you choose what goes into the filling. A product that’s already drained, such as the one from Petit Navire, saves you a step in preparation.
Shoppers who check fishing information
If MSC certification matters to you, distinguish it from a fishery taking part in a programme aimed at achieving certification. Neither means that the tuna is organic.
What to look for before buying
First, check which ingredient the organic claim applies to, then choose the recipe and amount of tuna that suit your savoury crêpes.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it’s for |
|---|---|---|
| What the organic claim means | Which ingredient is identified as organic, and its proportion if stated. | I don’t want to mistake organic oil for organic tuna. Around 46% of shoppers would put this distinction at the top of their list of concerns. |
| Recipe and preparation | The ingredients list, whether it contains oil and whether it’s marked ‘already drained’. | If I’m filling and seasoning the crêpes myself, I want to know what’s in the tin before adding anything else; around 36% of shoppers would prioritise this flexibility. |
| How much you’ll need | The drained net weight of each tin and how many crêpes you’re filling. | If several guests choose a tuna filling, I want to make sure there’s enough to go round; around 18% of shoppers would have this as their priority. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Assuming ‘organic’ means the wild tuna is certified
The claim may refer to the oil or another agricultural ingredient. According to Agence Bio, fish from fishing cannot be certified organic; the European Commission also excludes fishery products from using the EU organic logo.
Check the ingredients list to see which ingredient is explicitly identified as organic.
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Confusing MSC certification, an improvement programme and organic status
MSC certification and a fishery programme aiming to achieve it are two different things. Neither claim certifies the tuna as organic.
If fishing information guides your choice, read the exact wording on the tin.
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Using the total weight to estimate how much filling you’ll get
The total weight of a tin may include liquid, so it won’t necessarily tell you how much drained tuna you’ll have for your crêpes.
Compare drained net weights and adjust the number of tins to suit the fillings you’re planning.
Useful brands for comparing recipes
Carrefour Extra
A product made with organic extra virgin olive oil makes it clear exactly what the organic claim refers to.
- Carrefour’s product details state that it contains 27.3% organic extra virgin olive oil.
- This proportion refers to the organic ingredients in the product, not to organic certification of the wild tuna.
Petit Navire
The range includes tuna in spring water, including a product that’s already drained and ready to use in a filling.
- Petit Navire states that its already-drained product contains 93% tuna, along with water and salt.
- The brand also offers a product from a fishery taking part in a programme aimed at achieving MSC certification. This does not mean that the product is already MSC-certified, nor that it is organic.
Saupiquet
According to Saupiquet, its MSC Natural Whole Tuna is available in several sizes.
- The brand lists sizes from 93 g to 280 g and a recipe containing skipjack tuna, water, salt and natural flavouring.
- The MSC claim relates to the fishing method; it does not mean the tuna is certified organic.
Tuna in spring water for savoury crêpes
These two tins of tuna in spring water let you prepare a filling and choose what to add to it. The MSC claim in their product names shouldn’t be confused with organic certification.
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Petit Navire MSC tuna in spring water, 112 g drained
Ideal for a savoury crêpe filling that you can make and season yourself.
The product name states a drained net weight of 112 g and a total weight of 160 g. If MSC is important to you, check the wording on the packaging.
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Petit Navire MSC white tuna in spring water, 112 g
Make a white tuna filling in spring water and choose for yourself what to add.
The product name states a size of 112 g. Check the packaging to distinguish the total weight from the drained net weight and confirm the MSC claim.
Frequently asked questions
Can tinned wild tuna be certified organic in France?
No. Agence Bio says that products from fishing cannot be certified organic because their production conditions cannot be controlled in the same way as those of farmed animals. The European Commission also states that the EU organic logo cannot be used on fishery products.
Why does ‘organic’ appear on some tins of tuna?
It may refer to an agricultural ingredient rather than the fish. Carrefour, for example, states that its Carrefour Extra product contains 27.3% organic extra virgin olive oil, or 27.3% organic ingredients.
Which tuna should I choose for a savoury crêpe filling?
Tuna in spring water is a good choice if you want to decide on the seasoning and other ingredients in the filling yourself. If you’d like to keep preparation to a minimum, look for products marked as already drained. Also check the ingredients and drained net weight before working out how much you’ll need.
Does an MSC claim mean the tuna is organic?
No. The MSC claim relates to fishing, not organic certification of the fish. Also check whether the product is MSC-certified or comes from a fishery taking part in a programme aimed at achieving certification: Petit Navire presents these as distinct situations, depending on the product.