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.
Because of our innovative testing method and strict mercury limits, Safe Catch Elite and Ahi are the only tuna brands to meet Consumer Reports' Low-Mercury Criteria for sensitive populations like pregnant moms and kids and has gained the respect and is the official tuna of the American Pregnancy Association.
Top 10 Tunas
It's a healthy, affordable source of protein, omega-3s, and essential nutrients, making it a smart choice for your family. With Sirena's responsibly sourced tuna, Australians can enjoy seafood confidently as part of a healthy, balanced lifestyle.
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).
If you're counting calories and maximizing omega-3 fatty acids, then tuna in water might make a great choice. On the other hand, if moisture, flavor, and vitamin D levels are your focus, then olive oil-packed tuna might be better. Whatever tuna you choose, it's important not to go overboard for this mild-flavored fish.
You would have to eat around 25 tins (at 95g a tin) of it a week before you hit the maximum tolerable intake of mercury. For pregnant people (or people trying to get pregnant), the limit would be around 12 tins (at 95g a tin) a week. It is unlikely many consumers will reach these limits.
Do not drain Safe Catch tuna. There are no additives and fillers. Empty it into a bowl, chop up the steak and mix it. The tuna will reabsorb its natural oils and juices for a moist and delicious taste.
Sirena. 100% pole-and-line, but uses yellowfin and tonggol tuna, and has poor labelling that doesn't specify the species.
Yes, sardines are generally considered healthier than tuna because they are significantly lower in mercury, higher in omega-3s (EPA/DHA), and packed with calcium, vitamin D, and B12, though tuna offers more protein per serving, making sardines the more nutrient-dense choice overall with fewer contaminants.
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.
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.
The Rankings: Tuna in Oil
Initial signs and symptoms, such as fever, chills, shortness of breath, metallic taste, and pleuritic chest pain, may be confused with metal-fume fever, which is caused by cadmium exposure. Other possible symptoms include stomatitis, lethargy, confusion, and vomiting.
Safe Catch Elite Wild Tuna is highly praised for its low mercury content, excellent taste, and superior quality.
Risks of Eating Basa Fish
Basa fish is contaminated by pollutants and waste products such as mercury and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) from industrial sources. Consuming fish contaminated with these substances can lead to various health issues over time.
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).
Healthy tuna recipes
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.
If you want more omega-3 fats for heart health, choose white albacore tuna. It's higher in omega-3 fats than yellowfin or skipjack tuna. If you're cutting back on calories and fat, choose tuna packed in water rather than oil.
The Bottom Line. If you're looking for a water-packed canned tuna, Blue Harbor (view at Amazon) is a delicious choice for albacore packed in water—and it's sustainably sourced, as well. Or, if you'd rather buy an oil-packed canned tuna, you won't go wrong with Tonnino's yellowfin option (view at Amazon).