Who is this for?

Salt-conscious Mexican-night cooks

If tuna is going into tacos, bowls or wraps, compare salt per 100g drained where the labels provide that basis. The tuna is only one part of the meal, so check the other ingredients too.

Quick-filling shoppers

Spring-water chunks can be mixed with beans, sweetcorn, lime or spices for a filling. If a no-drain tin appeals for preparation, check its salt figure separately: the format does not establish that it contains less salt.

Portion and sourcing-minded households

Compare the drained amount and number of tins with the portions you plan to make. If sourcing matters, check the claim on the exact product: J Sainsbury plc describes its own-label canned tuna as MSC-certified and pole-and-line caught.

What matters when buying?

For a Mexican-night filling, start with the tuna's salt label, then consider how you will season and portion the finished dish.

Concern What to check Who this matters to
Salt in the tuna Compare salt per 100g on the same nutrition basis, preferably drained where stated, and check the amount you plan to use. If keeping the tuna's salt contribution down is my priority, I need the number on the exact tin rather than its packing description. About 36% of consumers put the tuna's labelled salt figure first.
Control over seasoning Check the ingredient list for added salt, then read the labels on salsa, seasoning, tortillas, cheese and canned beans. When I want lime, chilli and spices to shape the filling, a pre-seasoned base gives me less control over the finished dish. For about 29% of consumers, controlling that flavour is the primary need.
Portions and leftovers Compare pack size with drained quantity and read the tin's instructions for storage after opening. If I am making only a few tacos or sharing a bowl, I want enough usable tuna without opening more than I need. Portion planning comes first for about 21% of consumers.
Sourcing or quick preparation Check sourcing statements on the exact product; for a no-drain tin, compare its salt label independently. If a product-specific sourcing claim or less draining matters most to me, I still need to judge its salt separately. About 14% of consumers prioritise sourcing information or preparation convenience.

Buying pitfalls

  • Assuming spring water always means less salt

    Spring water describes the packing liquid, not a single salt level. The checked Sainsbury's and John West spring-water tins list 0.12g and 0.8g salt per 100g drained respectively.

    Compare the salt figure on the exact tin, using the same nutrition basis where possible.

  • Choosing a no-drain or brine tin without reading its label

    Convenience does not establish a lower salt figure. The checked Asda and John West brine chunks list 0.90g and 0.9g salt per 100g respectively; the checked John West no-drain brine steak lists 1.0g per 100g.

    Decide whether the format helps with preparation, then compare its salt figure with the alternative you would buy.

  • Checking the tuna but not the rest of the meal

    Salsa, seasoning, tortillas, cheese and canned beans can all affect the salt contribution of a Mexican-night dish.

    Read their labels too. The NHS suggests herbs, spices, garlic and chilli as ways to add flavour instead of extra salt.

  • Leaving unused tuna in the opened tin

    Storage instructions apply after opening, even if only part of the tuna goes into the filling.

    Plan the portion, then transfer and refrigerate any remainder as the exact pack directs, following its stated use-within time.

Brands to consider for this comparison

Sainsbury's

Its checked 145g spring-water chunks list 0.12g salt per 100g drained, making this specific tin useful to compare when salt is the leading concern.

  • J Sainsbury plc describes its own-label canned tuna as MSC-certified and pole-and-line caught.
  • Check the current tin label and availability before planning the meal around this product.

M&S

The checked 160g spring-water chunks list skipjack tuna and spring water as ingredients.

  • Marks & Spencer lists 0.75g salt per 100g for this product.
  • Confirm the nutrition basis on the pack before comparing that figure with another tin's value per 100g drained.

John West

The checked spring-water chunks multipack lists 0.8g salt per 100g drained.

  • Chunks in spring water offer an unseasoned starting point for a filling; check the exact ingredient list.
  • The checked brine chunks and no-drain brine steak have different listed salt figures, so do not apply the spring-water figure across formats.

Princes

Princes lists tuna and spring water as the ingredients of its checked spring-water chunks.

  • The manufacturer states a salt figure of 0.85g per 100g drained for this product.
  • Compare that number with other tins rather than treating the spring-water description as a reduced-salt claim.

Asda

The checked Asda brine chunks provide a comparison for shoppers considering a brine-packed tin.

  • Asda lists salt both per 100g and per drained can for this product.
  • Its listed 0.90g salt per 100g needs checking against the salt figure of any spring-water alternative under consideration.

Joybuy tuna options

These spring-water tuna chunks offer two formats for a Mexican-night filling: a four-tin multipack and a three-tin no-drain pack. Compare the exact pack labels before choosing for a reduced-salt meal.

John West Tuna Chunks in Springwater 4 x 125g

John West Tuna Chunks in Springwater 4 x 125g

Spring-water chunks are an option for a filling you plan to season yourself. This four-tin pack contains 125g per tin; Sainsbury's lists 0.8g salt per 100g drained for the checked John West product. Check the current pack label before making a salt comparison.

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John West No Drain Tuna Chunks in Springwater 3 x 100g

John West No Drain Tuna Chunks in Springwater 3 x 100g

The no-drain format is an option when you want less preparation before mixing a filling. The pack has three 100g tins of tuna chunks in spring water. Check the exact pack's salt figure and whether its nutrition panel uses a drained basis before comparing it with other tins.

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Questions about tinned tuna

Does tuna in spring water automatically contain less salt?

No. The checked Sainsbury's spring-water chunks list 0.12g salt per 100g drained, while the checked John West spring-water multipack lists 0.8g on the same basis. Read the nutrition panel on the tin you are buying.

What else should I check for a lower-salt Mexican-night meal?

Check the labels on salsa, taco seasoning, tortillas, cheese and canned beans as well as the tuna. The NHS suggests using herbs, spices, garlic or chilli for flavour instead of adding salt.

What is the NHS advice on daily salt for adults?

The NHS advises adults to have no more than 6g of salt a day, including salt in packaged foods and salt added during cooking or at the table. Follow individual clinical advice if it applies to you.

How should I store tuna left over after opening a tin?

Follow the storage and use-within instructions on the exact pack. Refrigerate unused tuna as directed and transfer it to another container if the label calls for one.

What should I check if someone has a fish allergy?

Tuna is fish, so do not choose it for someone with a fish allergy. Check the current pack's ingredients and allergen information before buying.