Couples who cook without much advance planning
If you’re making a meal for one or two, check how much you can actually use and what the pack says about storage after opening before choosing a tin size.
Who is this choice for?
Those who like to cook tuna on the day
If you want to pan-fry or grill tuna, look for a fresh steak or fillet rather than a tin. Check the date on the pack and plan to keep the fish chilled on the way home.
Shoppers who care about ingredients and traceability
If ingredients, species or fishing information matter to you, compare the details on each product. Information shown on one tin won’t necessarily apply to the whole range.
What should you look for first?
If you’re now cooking for one or two, start by choosing the right aisle based on how you plan to prepare the tuna. Then narrow down your choice by checking the size and label.
Tinned tuna in water
Choose it: if you want to keep tuna in the cupboard and add it to a meal without cooking the fish.
Bear in mind: the drained weight tells you how much you’ll have to serve. How long it keeps after opening depends on the product.
Fresh or chilled tuna steak
Choose it: if you want to cook the fish on the day and can keep it chilled on the way home.
Bear in mind: this isn’t something you can keep in the cupboard. Anses warns that breaking the cold chain can encourage histamine to form in tuna, and cooking won’t destroy it.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Portion size and leftovers | Drained net weight, number of tins and storage instructions after opening. | When I’m cooking for one or two, I want to open an amount close to what we’ll eat, so there’s less left over. Around 27% of consumers would put a suitable portion size first. |
| Meal preparation | Tinned tuna that’s ready to serve or chilled fish to cook; stated storage method. | On days when I want to put a meal together without cooking fish, a tin in the cupboard does the job. Around 33% of consumers would prioritise convenience. |
| Ingredients | Ingredients, species and nutritional values per 100 g, especially salt. | If I’m comparing two tins, I want to know what’s in them before choosing a recipe. Around 20% of consumers would put ingredients first. |
| Traceability | Species, fishing area and any certifications shown on the product. | When choosing a particular tin, I put information about the fish and where it was caught first. Around 20% of consumers would rank traceability as their top consideration. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Assuming ‘fillets’ means fresh fish
Tuna fillets are also sold in tins and are ready to serve. A fresh tuna steak is a different purchase and needs to be prepared.
Check which aisle it’s in, the storage instructions on the pack and whether the product needs cooking.
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Choosing a tin without checking the drained weight
The amount of tuna you serve may be different from the total weight shown on a tin containing a covering liquid. If the tin is too large for your meal, you’ll have more to store afterwards.
Compare the drained net weight with the number of portions you need, then check the instructions for storing any leftovers after opening.
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Assuming a fishing claim applies to an entire brand
An MSC or Label Rouge claim applies to the specific product that carries it. The Label Rouge specifications mentioned for tinned albacore tuna don’t automatically apply to other tins.
Check the claim on the product you’re buying, and distinguish between the species, fishing area and country of manufacture.
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Relying on cooking to make up for a break in the cold chain
According to Anses, poor storage of tuna can encourage histamine to form, and cooking won’t destroy it.
For a fresh steak, keep it chilled between buying it and getting home, then follow the date and storage instructions on the pack.
Brands and ranges to know
Petit Navire
The brand’s range includes a 160 g tin of MSC-certified tuna in water.
- For this product, Petit Navire lists tuna, water and salt, along with 25 g of protein and 1.0 g of salt per 100 g drained.
- Check the drained weight and fishing information on the tin you choose: the details for this product don’t describe the whole range.
Saupiquet
Saupiquet’s plain skipjack tuna fillets come in a 115 g tin.
- Saupiquet lists skipjack tuna fillets, water, salt and natural flavouring, with 31 g of protein and 1.1 g of salt per 100 g.
- The brand advises eating this product within two days of opening. Check the drained weight of the pack you buy, too.
Carrefour Classic'
Carrefour’s range includes a pack of two tins of tuna in water, each with a drained weight of 140 g.
- The product information for this multipack lists skipjack tuna, water and salt.
- Two tins may be enough for several meals. Choose the multipack to suit your plans, and don’t assume its ingredients apply to other Carrefour products.
Pêche Océan / Marque Repère E.Leclerc
The range includes several sizes of albacore tuna in water, including drained weights of 93 g, 140 g and 280 g.
- These sizes make it easier to find an amount that suits the number of meals you’re planning.
- Check the ingredients and any specific claims on the product you choose, even if another tin in the range carries an MSC claim.
Auchan
Auchan’s range includes 81 g tins of plain skipjack tuna fillets.
- The product information for this tin lists skipjack tuna, water and salt, with 28 g of protein and 0.71 g of salt per 100 g.
- After opening, Auchan advises transferring any leftovers to an airtight container, keeping them at +4 °C and eating them within 24 hours.
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Frequently asked questions
Are ‘tuna fillets’ always fresh?
No. Tuna fillets are also sold in tins, including Saupiquet’s tuna in water. If you want fish to cook on the day, check that the product information describes it as fresh or chilled.
How long can you keep an opened tin of tuna?
Follow the instructions on the tin you’ve bought. Saupiquet says to keep its tuna fillets in water in the fridge for two days after opening. For its product, Auchan advises transferring leftovers to an airtight container, keeping them at +4 °C and eating them within 24 hours.
Why check the drained net weight?
The drained net weight tells you how much product there is without the covering liquid, helping you choose a suitable portion for your meal. The DGCCRF says it must be shown when a pre-packed product is presented in a covering liquid.
Can cooking make fresh tuna safe after a break in the cold chain?
No. Anses says cooking won’t destroy histamine that has already formed because of poor storage. Keep a fresh tuna steak chilled and follow the date and storage instructions on the pack.