Is Safe Catch Tuna Clean?

The Short Answer

Safe Catch is likely the cleanest tuna brand available.

While other premium brands test "batches" of fish, Safe Catch uses proprietary technology to test every single fish for mercury. If a fish exceeds their strict limits, they don't buy it. Their "Elite" skipjack tuna has a mercury limit 10x stricter than the FDA, making it the safest option for pregnant women and children.

Beyond safety, the product is pure. They use a "raw pack" method where hand-cut tuna steaks are placed directly in the can and cooked once. There are no fillers, no soy, no pyrophosphates, and no added water or oil to drain.

Why This Matters

Mercury contamination is the single biggest concern with eating tuna. Most brands—even "sustainable" ones—rely on spot-checking. Because mercury levels can vary wildly between two fish in the same school, spot-checking isn't a guarantee. Safe Catch eliminates this variable entirely.

Conventional tuna is also heavily processed. It's usually cooked on racks, losing its natural oils, then canned with water or vegetable broth and cooked again (twice-cooked). This turns the meat into the "mush" you're used to and washes away Omega-3s. Safe Catch is cooked once in the can, retaining all natural oils and nutrients.

What's Actually In Safe Catch

The ingredient list is refreshing because it's barely a list.

• Skipjack Tuna — The "Elite" variety uses Skipjack, which naturally has lower mercury than Albacore. Fish Lowest Mercury
• Sea Salt — Used for flavor. They also offer a "No Salt Added" version which is literally just fish.
• Mercury — <0.05 ppm (Elite). For context, the FDA action level is 1.0 ppm, and "Low Mercury" is often defined as <0.1 ppm. Safe Catch Elite averages 0.04 ppm.

What's MISSING (The Good Stuff):

• No Vegetable Broth — A common filler in big brands that often contains hidden soy or corn.
• No Pyrophosphates — Chemicals used to make fish absorb water weight.
• No Soy — A common allergen found in cheap tuna broths.

What to Look For

Green Flags:

• "Mercury Tested" Label — specifically look for the "Elite" label for the lowest levels.
• MSC Certified — Ensures the fish was caught sustainably (pole and line or FAD-free purse seine).
• "Do Not Drain" — This instruction confirms the liquid in the can is natural fish oil, not added water.

Red Flags:

• Albacore (Even Safe Catch) — While Safe Catch Albacore is tested (<0.38 ppm), it is still significantly higher in mercury than their Elite Skipjack (<0.05 ppm). Pregnant women should stick to Elite. Mercury In Fish

The Best Options

Safe Catch offers a few varieties. Here is how they stack up.

The Bottom Line

1. Buy Safe Catch Elite if you are pregnant, nursing, feeding children, or eat tuna daily. The peace of mind is worth the price.

2. Don't drain the liquid. That liquid is pure natural fish oil loaded with Omega-3s. Mix it back into the meat.

3. Expect a different texture. It's a solid steak, not mush. You'll need to flake it with a fork.

FAQ

Is Safe Catch actually better than Wild Planet?

It depends on your priority. Safe Catch is safer because they test every fish, whereas Wild Planet tests batches. However, many people prefer the texture and taste of Wild Planet. Both are excellent, sustainable choices significantly better than conventional brands. Wild Planet Vs Safe Catch

Why is Safe Catch so dry?

It's not dry, it's undiluted. Conventional tuna is pumped full of water and vegetable broth. Safe Catch is just fish. Because they don't add oil or water, it feels firmer. Do not drain the can—mash the natural juices back into the meat for the best texture.

Is the can BPA-free?

Yes. Safe Catch uses BPA-NI (Not Intentional) cans. They moved away from the "BPA Free" claim on the label purely to comply with complex California Prop 65 regulations regarding environmental background levels, but the linings are compliant with the strictest safety standards.

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