To buy healthy canned tuna, choose "light" tuna (skipjack) for lower mercury, opt for pole-and-line or FAD-free (Fish Aggregating Device) caught for sustainability, check for MSC certification, select tuna packed in olive oil or water, and prioritize brands with minimal added salt or sauces to maximize protein and nutrients while minimizing toxins like mercury.
The healthiest canned tuna is typically chunk light skipjack packed in water, due to lower mercury levels and fewer calories than albacore, but for maximum omega-3s, opt for pole-and-line caught albacore (in moderation due to mercury). Look for "no salt added" for sodium control, sustainable sourcing (pole-and-line/FAD-free), and brands that test for mercury (like Safe Catch or Wild Planet https://www.asweetpea).
Albacore tuna is also higher in mercury than skipjack tuna. If you want to buy sustainably sourced tuna, look for the terms “pole-and-line-caught,” “troll-caught,” or “school-caught” on can labels.
Tuna, salmon, sardines, mackerel, mussels, oysters: The healthiest types of tinned fish.
Yes. It is safe for everyone (including pregnant women) to consume canned tuna as part of their fish intake.
Some tuna cans that say do not drain because they don't add oil, water, fillers, preservatives, and GMO soy broth. Cans that say do not drain contain only tuna or sometimes salmon. They only have natural occurring fish oils and juices and those are rich in omega threes.
The 13 Healthiest Tinned Fish, Packed With Protein and Omega-3s
Sirena tuna is considered good because of its premium quality, using pole-and-line caught yellowfin tuna, which results in a richer flavor, firm chunky texture, and lower mercury levels compared to other brands. Consumers praise its superior taste, often packed in quality oils or springwater, making it versatile for salads, sandwiches, and meals, despite being a pricier option.
Top 10 Tunas
Whether fresh, canned, or in pouches, fish is a fantastic alternative to processed lunch meats. Not only is it lower in sodium and other additives, it's a good source of omega-3 fats and a great way to add protein to your lunch! Compared to canned fish, the vacuum-sealed pouches also have a fresher flavor and texture.
If you're concerned about limiting the amount of mercury you consume, and if you've eaten no other fish during the week, Consumer Reports says up to 12 ounces a week of Bumble Bee Chunk Light, Chicken of the Sea Chunk Light, Safe Catch Wild Elite, and StarKist Chunk Light tunas are the safer choices among the products ...
20 Canned Tuna Recipes Inspired By Food Culture
Which one should I choose?
The Best Canned Tuna, According to Chefs
The winner of the best canned tuna trophy goes to Sea Tales Albacore. Both Suzy Karadsheh and Peter Som stand behind Sea Tales Albacore because it has "nice chunks of tuna with a great tuna flavor that's not fishy in any way," Som says.
The concerns around daily intake stem from its mercury content. However, according to the NHS, which states a healthy, balanced diet should include at least two portions of fish a week, there's nothing there to say you can't eat tuna every day, unless you're trying for a baby, or pregnant.
The "healthiest" tuna brand depends on your priority (mercury, sustainability, or nutrition), but top contenders often include Safe Catch (lowest mercury), Wild Planet, American Tuna, and Ocean Naturals for sustainable pole-and-line/troll-caught options with low bycatch, while Blue Harbor and Tonnino are praised for taste/nutrition in taste tests. Look for "pole and line" or "troll caught" on the label for better sustainability and lower mercury, and check for FDA/FDA-compliant mercury testing.
The Best Canned Tuna, Ranked
The healthiest canned tuna is typically chunk light skipjack packed in water, due to lower mercury levels and fewer calories than albacore, but for maximum omega-3s, opt for pole-and-line caught albacore (in moderation due to mercury). Look for "no salt added" for sodium control, sustainable sourcing (pole-and-line/FAD-free), and brands that test for mercury (like Safe Catch or Wild Planet https://www.asweetpea).
Sirena tuna tends to have lower mercury levels thanks to pole-and-line caught yellowfin tuna, a sustainable method that targets individual smaller fish and helps protect ocean ecosystems.
In contemporary times, the family maintains control of a string of businesses including Valcorp Fine Foods which is headed by John Valmorbida. Valcorp is the local distributor for brand names including Lavazza coffee, La Zuppa soup, La Gina tomatoes, Sirena tuna and Evian water.
Safcol Tuna: The Australian Seafood Experts
Safcol was founded in 1945 by a group of South Australian fishermen to sell their catch; the first of its kind in Australia. This connection with the craft and the catch has been constant throughout our history.
Pre-cooked pasta in sauce is one of the unhealthiest canned foods. While they might be tasty meals, the reason they have that addictive flavour is due to high levels of sugar and salt. For example, a can of Heinz Alphaghetti contains 1,490 mg of sodium and 18 g of sugar.
The Best Tinned Trout
The unhealthiest fish to eat are typically large, predatory species high in mercury like shark, swordfish, king mackerel, and imported tilefish, plus bluefin tuna, which are dangerous for brain/nerve health, especially for pregnant women and children; also, farmed salmon and some imported tilapia/catfish raise concerns for contaminants and antibiotics, while orange roughy and Atlantic cod are often cited for high mercury and overfishing/sustainability issues.