Shoppers focused on how much tuna they can use
You’re comparing tins of different sizes and want to choose a quantity of drained tuna you can realistically use.
Who are these criteria useful for?
Shoppers who plan their own meals
You prefer to check the ingredients and nutritional values of each recipe before choosing your own seasoning and accompaniments.
Shoppers keeping an eye on salt and leftovers
You check the salt content and storage instructions after opening, especially if you won’t use the whole tin in one meal.
Which criteria should you check first?
When comparing tinned tuna, start by checking the recipe and drained weight. Then read the nutritional information and choose a size that suits the meals you have planned.
| Criterion | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Amount of tuna you can use | Compare the drained net weight with the amount you expect to eat. | If I’m comparing several tins, I want to know how much fish they contain once drained, without buying more than I need. Around 34% of shoppers would prioritise this usable quantity. |
| Recipe and nutritional values | Check the ingredients, kcal, protein and fat per 100 g, taking account of the basis shown on the label. | When planning a meal, I want to tell the difference between tuna in spring water and a recipe containing oil or seasoning. This would be the top criterion for around 33% of shoppers. |
| Salt content | Check the “salt” entry per 100 g for the specific product. | If the rest of my meal is already salty, I want to know how much salt is in the tin I’m adding. Around 20% of shoppers would make this a priority. |
| Texture and storage | Choose between chunks, whole tuna or fillets to suit your recipe, then check the storage instructions after opening. | If I want to keep the fillets intact or save some of the tin for another meal, texture and storage will guide my choice. Around 13% of shoppers would prioritise these factors. |
What should you watch out for?
-
Comparing tins by size alone
If a tin contains liquid, its total weight won’t tell you how much drained fish you’ll get.
Check the drained net weight, then choose an amount that makes sense for the meals you plan to prepare. The DGCCRF states that, in this case, prepacked foods must show this weight.
-
Assuming all recipes have the same nutritional profile
Tuna in spring water and seasoned tuna can have different ingredients and nutritional values. For example, Saupiquet’s product information lists 134 kcal per 100 g for its plain fillets and 156 kcal per 100 g for its lemon fillets.
Compare the labels for the specific products, particularly their fat, protein and salt content. Don’t assume you know what’s in them from the word “tuna” alone.
-
Opening a large tin without planning for leftovers
The right quantity for you also depends on how you’ll use the contents after opening.
Before choosing a size, read the storage instructions for the product you’re buying and plan which meals you’ll use the leftovers in.
Any portion not used in line with the instructions on the packaging may go to waste.
-
Making tuna your only choice of fish
Anses warns that tuna, a wild predatory fish, can contain methylmercury and recommends eating a variety of fish species. Specific precautions apply in particular to pregnant or breastfeeding women and young children.
Vary the fish you eat and check the Anses recommendations for your circumstances before making tuna a regular part of your diet.
Brands to compare by product
A single brand may offer tuna in spring water as well as other recipes. Compare the information for the specific product rather than making assumptions about the whole range.
Petit Navire
Several plain options let you compare salt content and nutritional values across the brand’s range.
- Petit Navire lists 109 kcal, 25 g of protein and 1.0 g of salt per 100 g drained for its Démarche Responsable plain tuna.
- The brand lists 0.5 g of salt per 100 g for its “-25% salt” product. These figures apply to two specific products, not the entire range.
Saupiquet
Plain fillets and lemon fillets suit different recipe preferences.
- Saupiquet lists 134 kcal and 31 g of protein per 100 g for its plain fillets.
- Its lemon fillets contain sunflower oil. The brand lists 156 kcal and 7.7 g of fat per 100 g for this product.
Carrefour Classic'
The multipack of whole tuna in spring water may be worth considering if you want to split the contents across several meals.
- Carrefour describes a pack of two tins, each with a drained net weight of 140 g, containing skipjack tuna, water and salt.
- Check that the quantity and whole-tuna format suit your recipes.
Eco+ / E.Leclerc
E.Leclerc’s Eco+ range includes a plain skipjack tuna chunks product.
- The product listing gives a drained net weight of 130 g.
- If your recipe calls for fillets that stay intact, check that the chunks format is right for you.
Auchan / Pouce
Auchan offers, among other products, whole skipjack tuna in spring water and Pouce tuna chunks in spring water.
- These formats let you choose the texture that best suits your meal.
- Before comparing sizes, check the drained weight and nutritional information for the product you’re considering.
Tinned tuna available on Joybuy
These products include tuna in water, brine and oil. To choose between them, check the format and quantities shown, then compare the labels of the products that suit your planned meals.
Image unavailable
Petit Navire tuna in water 140 g
This tuna in water is worth considering if you want to season it yourself. The tin is listed as 140 g; check its drained weight too when planning your portions.
The product information says that after opening, you should transfer the contents to a non-metallic container, refrigerate them and eat them within 24 hours.
Image unavailable
Saupiquet whole tuna in brine 93 g
The listed 93 g size may suit you if you’re looking for a small tin of whole tuna for one meal. Before comparing it with another product, check its drained weight and the basis used for the nutritional values on the label.
Image unavailable
Petit Navire white tuna in brine 140 g
This tin of white tuna in brine is listed as 140 g. If you’re comparing the amount of fish with other tins, check the drained net weight on the packaging.
Image unavailable
Petit Navire MSC tuna in spring water, 160 g including 112 g drained
This plain tuna is listed as having a drained weight of 112 g, from 160 g of product in total, so you can plan your recipe accordingly. To compare its nutritional values with another tin, check the “per 100 g” basis on the label.
Image unavailable
Petit Navire whole tuna in sunflower oil 160 g
This tuna in sunflower oil offers a different taste and cooking option from tuna in water. The listed size is 160 g; check the ingredients and nutritional values for this specific product before adding it to your meal.
Frequently asked questions
Net weight or drained weight: which should you check on a tin of tuna?
Check the drained net weight to find out how much fish you’ll get when the tin contains liquid. The DGCCRF states that, in this case, prepacked foods must include this information.
Do plain tuna and seasoned tuna have the same nutritional values?
No, you’ll need to compare the specific recipes. Saupiquet lists 134 kcal and 31 g of protein per 100 g for its plain fillets, compared with 156 kcal and 7.7 g of fat per 100 g for its lemon fillets. Check the ingredients and the basis for comparison on each label too.
How should you store a tin of tuna after opening?
Follow the instructions for the product you’ve bought, as they can vary from one product to another. Joybuy’s product information for a 140 g tin of Petit Navire tuna says to transfer the contents to a non-metallic container, refrigerate them and eat them within 24 hours.
Should you eat different types of fish if you eat tuna?
Yes. Anses recommends eating a variety of fish species and notes that wild predatory fish such as tuna may contain methylmercury. Check its specific recommendations if the meal is for someone who is pregnant or breastfeeding, or for a young child.