Students planning meals around their supplies
If you keep a tin handy for a simple dinner, check the drained tuna weight and choose a size you can use without leaving leftovers.
Who are these options for?
People in a hurry without access to a freezer
An unopened tin can be stored in a cupboard. Do check how to store any leftovers, though, as instructions vary from product to product.
Students who want to cook fish
If you’re thinking of cooking fillets or steaks, check whether the fish is fresh or frozen. Make sure you can follow the storage and preparation instructions on the packaging.
What should you look for?
For a student dinner, first decide whether you need a cupboard staple or want to cook fish that needs to be kept chilled. Then compare the sizes and recipes within your chosen category.
| Criteria | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Usable quantity | The drained net weight and how many portions the pack provides. | I want to plan my dinner without confusing the contents’ total weight with the amount of tuna I’ll actually eat; around 36% of consumers would make this their priority. |
| A meal without a freezer | Storage conditions before opening and instructions for keeping any leftovers. | When I need to prepare a meal quickly, I look for an ingredient I can keep in the cupboard before opening; around 29% of consumers would put this convenience first. |
| Fish to cook | Whether it’s labelled ‘fresh’ or ‘frozen’, plus storage conditions and preparation instructions. | I’d rather cook a fillet or steak than open a tin, as long as I can store and cook it as instructed; around 21% of consumers would prioritise this. |
| Recipe and instructions | Ingredients, salt per 100 g, allergens and instructions for after opening. | Before choosing a tin, I want to know what’s inside and how to store any leftovers; this would be the main criterion for around 14% of consumers. |
Common mix-ups to avoid
-
Confusing the weight of the tin with the amount of tuna
For tuna packed in liquid, the total weight includes the liquid too. The DGCCRF states that the drained net weight must be shown for foods presented this way.
Check this weight and choose a quantity that suits the meal you’re planning.
-
Assuming every opened tin keeps for the same length of time
Instructions after opening vary between the products we checked: the Saupiquet tin sold on Joybuy says to consume within 24 hours, while the Pouce product we checked says 48 hours.
Follow the instructions on your tin, transfer leftovers to a suitable container and refrigerate them as directed.
A tin that’s too large for your meal may leave you with a portion to use within that time.
-
Assuming ‘fillet’ means ‘frozen’
Tuna fillets can also be sold in tins. The product category is what tells you how to store and prepare it.
For fresh or frozen products, follow the label and maintain the cold chain, as recommended by Anses.
-
Treating tuna in oil like tuna in spring water
Oil is part of the recipe, so it changes the ingredients in the dish you’re making.
Check the type of oil and the nutritional information on the tin if you plan to use its contents as part of your seasoning.
Brands to compare
Petit Navire
The range includes tuna in spring water and tins bearing the MSC label.
- Petit Navire’s tuna in spring water product lists albacore tuna, water and salt.
- Compare the species, recipe and size of the specific tin rather than assuming every product is the same.
Saupiquet
Saupiquet offers tuna in spring water in several sizes, including an MSC-labelled whole tuna product.
- The range of sizes lets you choose a quantity that suits the meal you’re planning.
- Instructions for after opening vary between the products we checked, so read the details on the tin you buy.
Carrefour Classic'
This range includes a tin of whole yellowfin tuna in spring water, with a drained net weight of 140 g.
- Carrefour’s product information for this item lists yellowfin tuna, water and salt.
- Check the size and ingredients of the product you choose.
Pêche Océan / Marque Repère E.Leclerc
The range includes whole yellowfin tuna in spring water, tuna pieces and multipacks.
- These options let you compare texture and quantity to suit your recipe.
- Don’t compare products as if they were the same if the species, preparation or drained weight differs.
Auchan / Pouce
The products we checked include tinned tuna pieces and fillets in spring water.
- The choice of pieces or fillets can help you get the look you want in your dish.
- For the Pouce tuna pieces we checked, you’ll need a tin opener. Follow the storage instructions after opening.
Sol&Mar / Lidl
One of the products we checked is a tin of skipjack tuna in sunflower oil bearing the MSC label.
- It’s an example of an oil-based recipe for dishes where this ingredient works well.
- Check the recipe and size of the tin you choose. They’re not interchangeable with those of tuna in spring water.
Products for different needs
This selection includes tins of tuna in spring water or oil for a cupboard-ready meal, as well as frozen tuna steaks for a dinner you can cook. Choose based on your storage options and the type of preparation you have in mind.
Image unavailable
PETIT NAVIRE, tuna in water, 140 g
A tin to consider for adding tuna to a salad or sandwich without needing a freezer before opening.
- 140 g size.
- Choose a quantity to suit your meal and follow the instructions on the tin for any leftovers after opening.
Image unavailable
ESCAL, 2 MSC Albacore tuna steaks, 250 g
An option for cooking tuna if you have a freezer and can follow the defrosting and cooking instructions.
- Two steaks, 250 g in total.
- Frozen product to be stored and prepared as directed on the packaging; it isn’t a ready-to-use tin.
Image unavailable
SAUPIQUET, whole tuna in spring water, 93 g
This size is a good choice if you want to use tuna in spring water quickly in a simple meal.
- 93 g size.
- According to the Joybuy product information, any leftovers should be transferred to a non-metallic container, covered, refrigerated and eaten within 24 hours.
Image unavailable
PETIT NAVIRE, white tuna in brine, 140 g
This tin is an option for a sandwich or salad if you like tuna in brine.
- 140 g size.
- The product description notes that small bone fragments may remain, so bear this in mind when preparing your dish.
Image unavailable
PETIT NAVIRE, whole tuna in sunflower oil, 160 g
This recipe could work well in pasta or a salad if you want to include the sunflower oil in your dish.
- 160 g size.
- Oil is part of the recipe, so check the ingredients and nutritional information if you’re comparing it with tuna in spring water.
Frequently asked questions
What quantity should I check when comparing two tins of tuna?
For tuna packed in liquid, check the drained net weight. This shows the weight of the tuna without the liquid, rather than the total weight. The DGCCRF states that this information must appear on the labels of the products concerned.
How should I store leftover tuna from an opened tin?
Follow the instructions for that particular tin and refrigerate the leftovers in the container specified. The products we checked give different time limits after opening, so don’t apply one brand’s instructions to another.
Can a frozen tuna fillet replace a tinned tuna fillet?
No, they’re used differently. An unopened tin can be stored in a cupboard, while a frozen fillet needs to be kept cold and prepared according to the packaging. Check that the product is clearly labelled ‘frozen’ before planning to store it in the freezer.
What should I check on a tin of tuna?
Check the product name, ingredients, allergens, nutritional information and stated quantity. For tuna packed in liquid, the DGCCRF states that the drained net weight must also be shown. Finally, read the storage instructions for that particular tin.