Who is this choice for?

For a salad or assembled plate

If the tuna will be visible in your dish, the “whole” or “fillets” description and net drained weight matter more than the brand alone. Then choose tuna in spring water or oil, depending on what you’re making.

If you’re choosing based on declared fishing methods

If the species, a certification or the fishing method matters to you, look for these details on the exact product, then check them on the tin you receive.

For keeping fish in the freezer

If you want to store frozen fillets or portions, first check that you’re buying a frozen product. Tinned tuna is a different category, with its own storage instructions before and after opening.

Which criteria should you prioritise?

For this shop, first decide between tinned tuna and frozen fillets. If you choose a tin, compare the presentation and recipe of the specific product rather than assuming its features based on the brand.

Criterion What to check Who is it for?
Texture and presentation The “whole” or “fillets” label and the net drained weight, especially if you want the fish to remain visible. I want the tuna pieces to stand out in a salad rather than mix them into a combined dish; around 31% of the consumers concerned would prioritise this presentation.
Recipe and ingredients The ingredients, packing liquid and nutritional values of the product you’ve chosen. To match the tuna to the dish I’m making, I need to know whether it’s in spring water or oil; the recipe would be the top criterion for around 31% of the consumers concerned.
Species and declared fishing method The species listed and any MSC or “FAD-free” claims on the exact product. I prefer to identify the fish and find out how it was caught before choosing a tin; around 23% of the consumers concerned would make this their priority.
Freezer storage The product category and its storage instructions: tinned tuna or frozen fillets. To keep portions in the freezer, I look for frozen fillets rather than a tin; this would be the top priority for around 15% of the consumers concerned.

Common mix-ups to avoid

  • Treating tinned tuna like frozen fillets

    A tin of tuna and frozen fillets aren’t intended for the same kind of storage. The refrigeration instructions given for some tins after opening don’t apply to frozen fillets.

    Before comparing products, decide whether you want something to store according to the instructions on the tin or fish intended for the freezer.

  • Judging by the size of the tin alone

    Two tin sizes can contain different amounts of tuna once drained, particularly when the fish is packed in liquid.

    Compare the net drained weight, species and recipe of the sizes you’re considering.

  • Assuming a fishing claim applies to an entire brand

    MSC, “FAD-free” and “free-school fishing” claims mentioned by Petit Navire, Lidl or Auchan apply to specific products, not necessarily all their tins.

    Look for the claim on the product page for the size you’ve chosen, then check that it appears on the tin you buy.

  • Overlooking instructions for after opening

    Product pages for some tinned tuna sold by Auchan recommend refrigerating it and eating it within 48 hours or two days of opening. These time limits shouldn’t be applied to every tin without checking.

    Follow the instructions on your product, and use a suitable container if they say to transfer the contents.

Brands and retailers to consider

These examples relate to specific products. Compare their labels rather than assuming the same features apply across an entire range.

Petit Navire

The brand offers, among other products, MSC-certified yellowfin tuna in spring water and a ready-drained tuna product.

  • Petit Navire lists “tuna, water, salt” as the ingredients for its MSC-certified yellowfin tuna in spring water.
  • Check the recipe and after-opening instructions for the size you choose; these details don’t apply to the entire range.

Saupiquet

Saupiquet offers tuna in several forms, including whole tuna and fillets in oil.

  • Saupiquet says it provides traceability information about the fish’s origin and how it was caught.
  • Check the species, recipe and any traceability details that matter to you on each product.

Carrefour

Carrefour and Carrefour Classic’ products include whole tuna in spring water and fillets in olive oil.

  • The Carrefour Classic’ listing for a pack of two tins states that it contains skipjack tuna, water and salt, with a net drained weight of 140 g per tin.
  • The presentation and species vary by product, so check the listing for the pack you’ve chosen.

Auchan

Auchan offers, among other products, a Cultivons le Bon whole skipjack tuna in spring water.

  • For this product, Auchan states that the tuna is caught free-school, without FADs, and that the boat’s name is printed on the tin.
  • The same listing says to keep it between 0 °C and +4 °C for 48 hours after opening; follow the instructions on the product you actually buy.

Lidl

A Lidl listing features Sol&Mar skipjack tuna in sunflower oil with an MSC claim.

  • The listing identifies the species and type of oil used in this product.
  • Check the MSC claim and recipe on the specific size you’re thinking of buying.

Joybuy products related to this topic

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Frequently asked questions

Should you put a tin of tuna in the freezer?

For an unopened tin, follow the storage instructions on the label rather than planning to keep it in the freezer. If you’re looking for fish to freeze, choose frozen fillets and check their instructions. Once you’ve opened a tin, follow its refrigeration guidance.

What information should you compare on two tins of tuna?

Start by comparing the presentation, ingredients and net drained weight, then check the nutritional values and storage instructions for the exact product. The DGCCRF sets out this labelling information for prepacked foods; don’t assume that two tins from the same brand contain the same species or use the same recipe.

Is the fishing area always shown on a tin?

Don’t assume that the fishing area is listed on every tin. The DGCCRF guidance on this information for seafood applies to unprocessed products. If the fishing area affects your choice, check the details shown on the specific tin.

Is an MSC or “FAD-free” claim enough to help you choose?

No. On its own, a claim like this doesn’t tell you how the tuna is presented, which species it is or how it’s prepared. Petit Navire, Lidl and Auchan display these claims on some products. Check the details for the exact product, then compare any other features that matter for your dish.