People short of time before work
A no-drain portion removes the draining step when putting tuna on toast or into a wrap. Check whether the exact pack is a steak or chunk format if texture matters too.
Who might choose each format?
Shoppers who prefer tuna steak to chunks
Steak formats suit someone who wants distinct pieces of tuna at breakfast. Oil-packed and flavoured recipes offer different ingredients from spring-water tuna, so the finished meal is worth considering before choosing.
Buyers looking for a sourcing cue
If independent fishery certification is a deciding factor, look for the blue MSC ecolabel on the individual product rather than relying on a general statement about a brand or range.
What should you check before buying?
Start with how you will serve the tuna, then check the exact pack for the format, ingredients and any sourcing label that matters to you.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Preparation | Check whether the pack says no-drain, how much it contains and how opened leftovers must be stored. | I want to open one portion and put it straight onto breakfast without dealing with liquid. |
| Texture and recipe | Look for steak or chunks, then check whether the tuna is packed in spring water, brine or oil. Read flavourings on the exact label. | Distinct pieces matter more to me than tuna mixed into a filling; on another morning, I might want to add my own seasoning. |
| Nutrition label | Compare the stated values on the same basis, such as per 100g, and check the ingredients and serving information. | I want to know what is in the tuna I am adding to toast or eggs, rather than judging it by its packing medium alone. |
| Sourcing | Look for the MSC ecolabel on the individual pack. Read fishing-method and traceability wording separately; they describe different claims. | A recognisable certification mark matters to me more than a broad statement about a brand. |
What can be easy to overlook?
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Treating every tuna format as interchangeable
Chunks, steaks and different packing liquids change how the tuna fits a meal. A no-drain chunk tin does not provide the same texture as a tuna steak.
Decide whether speed, distinct pieces or control over added ingredients matters most, then read the format and recipe on the exact pack.
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Assuming sourcing claims mean the same thing
Traceability, fishing-method statements and MSC certification make different claims. A statement about a range need not describe every individual tin.
If certification matters, check the product itself for the MSC ecolabel and read any fishing-method wording on its packaging.
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Counting tuna as oily fish
The NHS says fresh and canned tuna do not count as oily fish. Its pregnancy guidance also sets a separate weekly limit for tuna.
Keep those distinctions in mind when planning fish meals, and consult the NHS pregnancy guidance if it applies to you.
Relevant brand and retailer ranges
John West
Its no-drain tuna steak fridge-pot range is relevant when a quick, individual breakfast is the priority.
- The no-drain format avoids a separate draining step.
- Check the selected variant for its packing liquid, nutrition information and sourcing label.
Princes
The range includes tuna steaks and flavoured Ocean Select yellowfin recipes; Tesco Groceries listed a 160g olive-oil-and-lemon variant.
- There are steak and prepared-flavour options for different breakfast recipes.
- Princes makes range-level fishing and certification claims; check the exact product for its recipe and any certification mark.
Tesco
Tesco Groceries listed an own-label 110g tuna steak with a little spring water, an option for adding your own breakfast ingredients.
- The stated steak format and spring-water recipe give a clear starting point for comparison.
- Check the individual pack for its current ingredients, nutrition information and sourcing details.
Sainsbury's
In May 2023, Sainsbury's stated that its own-label canned tuna was MSC-certified and pole-and-line caught.
- The retailer's statement gives sourcing-focused shoppers a range to examine.
- Check the current individual pack for its certification mark, tuna format and ingredients.
Tinned tuna options on Joybuy
These options include oil-packed tuna steaks and no-drain spring-water chunks for different weekday-breakfast preferences.
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Fish4ever Tuna Steaks in Organic Olive Oil 160g
Consider this steak format for tuna on toast when you prefer olive oil in the recipe. The stated pack size is 160g; check the drained quantity and the exact pack's sourcing label if those affect your choice.
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Tropical Sun Tuna Steaks in Sunflower Oil
This is a steak option for a breakfast where sunflower oil suits the recipe. Check the ingredients if you prefer a different packing medium, and follow the pack's directions for storing any leftovers.
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Morrisons Drained Tuna Steaks with Sunflower Oil 110g
The 110g steak format could suit a single breakfast with toast or eggs. The product title says ‘Drained’, while its descriptions say ‘No Drain’, so check the pack before relying on it to avoid draining.
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John West No Drain Tuna Chunks in Springwater 3 x 100g
Three separate 100g cans offer a no-drain chunk option when you want to open one for breakfast. These are chunks rather than steaks; check the exact pack for an MSC ecolabel if certification matters to you.
Questions about breakfast tuna
Does canned tuna count as oily fish?
No. The NHS says fresh and canned tuna do not count as oily fish, so a tuna breakfast is not an oily-fish portion under its guidance.
Is olive-oil tuna the right choice for every breakfast?
No. Oil-packed or flavoured tuna may suit a breakfast where you want those ingredients already in the recipe; spring-water tuna leaves you to add your own. Check the exact nutrition label and ingredients rather than assuming all variants are alike.
How can I identify MSC-certified tinned tuna?
Look for the blue MSC ecolabel on the individual product. A brand's wider sourcing statement is not a substitute for checking the tin you intend to buy.
Does UK pregnancy guidance set a limit for tuna?
Yes. NHS pregnancy guidance says not to eat more than four cans or two tuna steaks a week. That is a pregnancy-specific precaution, not a limit stated for all adults.