The healthiest canned tuna prioritizes lower mercury (skipjack/light), packed in water or olive oil, with minimal sodium, and sustainably caught (pole/line), with Safe Catch, Wild Planet, and American Tuna often praised for low mercury/sustainability, while Skipjack is best for mercury, and Albacore offers more Omega-3s but higher mercury. Look for certifications like MSC and choose skipjack for lower mercury, albacore for omega-3s, and water-packed for fewer calories/fat.
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.
Tuna, salmon, sardines, mackerel, mussels, oysters: The healthiest types of tinned fish.
Safe Catch is the ONLY brand mercury testing Every Tuna, Every Time. Lowest mercury of any brand, guaranteed. Always wild, sustainably caught. The best seafood nature has to offer.
Are there any health risks associated with canned tuna?
The larger the tuna species, the more mercury it contains. I would avoid Albacore tuna, which has 3 time the levels of mercury compared to the smaller species, such as Skip Jack. Children up to age six shouldn't eat albacore more than once a month (3 oz. portions); children ages 6–12, twice a month (4.5 oz.
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.
Top 10 Tunas
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.
Safe Catch's Original Elite Wild Tuna. Safe Catch Elite Tuna, simply the lowest mercury tuna of any brand.
The Rankings: Tuna in Oil
Do you need to drain the oil from the can? This is a personal preference and depends on your recipe. If your recipe (like a pasta sauce or salad dressing) already calls for olive oil, you can use the flavorful oil from the can instead of draining it.
Histamine Toxicity (Scombroid Fish Poisoning)
Scombroid fish poisoning, also known as histamine toxicity, occurs when bacteria in improperly stored tuna produce large amounts of histamines. Even people without a tuna allergy can experience symptoms similar to an allergic reaction if they eat contaminated fish.
AKA: false albacore, albacore, little tuna, bonito, Fat Alberts. Description: Little tunny is a tuna-shaped fish that is steel blue on top and silver below with wavy stripes along the posterior portion of the back.
Avoid tuna caught in the Indian Ocean. Avoid imported albacore, bigeye, skipjack, and yellowfin tunas caught with drifting longlines and most tuna caught with FADs (scroll down for more information).
The recommended shelf life for canned tuna is 2–5 years, as long as the can is in good condition. Damaged or swollen cans of tuna could indicate that the contents are no longer safe to consume.
The best all-rounder: Sardines
These are top of the list for healthy tinned fish. These small, sustainable fish are rich in omega-3s, calcium (thanks to the edible bones), vitamin D and protein. They're also low in mercury and big on flavour.
Omega 3s
These are the good fats that keep your heart happy and healthy. Tuna is brimming with two types of omega-3 fatty acids, DHA and EPA, which have been linked to reduced inflammation, improved brain function, and a lowered risk of heart disease.
What foods are concerned? Some species of fish are richer in histidine than others, which can lead to higher histamine production. These are mainly species of tuna, mackerel, kingfish and bonito. Other species such as sardines, herring, anchovies, jacks, swordfish and dolphinfish are also concerned.
Patients with tuna poisoning have symptoms such as diarrhea and abdominal pain.
5 Ways to Make Your Canned Tuna Healthier, According to Registered Dietitians
Tuna in olive oil offers a richer flavor, softer texture, and higher fat/calorie content, while tuna in water provides a milder taste, firmer texture, fewer calories, and less fat, making it ideal for low-fat diets or recipes where you add your own fats, whereas oil-packed is better for enhancing flavor in salads or pasta dishes. Both are excellent protein sources, but the choice depends on taste preference and dietary goals, with water-packed often retaining more DHA but oil-packed offering a more succulent, savory experience.
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).
Sainsbury's - 65p a tin
Sainsbury's won the taste test for me with proper chunks of tuna, a great flavour and not too much water.
A tuna grading chart can vary slightly depending on the region or market; however, some common grades include: # 1 grade: This is typically the highest grade available for tuna. It represents superior quality with vibrant coloration, high fat content, exceptional flavor, and a buttery texture.