Is Wild Planet Tuna Clean?

The Short Answer

Yes, Wild Planet is clean. It is widely considered the gold standard for sustainable, high-quality canned tuna available in major grocery stores.

Unlike conventional brands that cook fish twice (losing nutrients) and pack it in water or cheap oil, Wild Planet cooks their tuna once, right in the can. This means the liquid you see is natural fish oil, potent with Omega-3s, not tap water. They use 100% pole-and-line fishing methods, meaning no nets, no FADs (Fish Aggregating Devices), and virtually zero bycatch of dolphins or turtles.

The only caution: While their average mercury levels are low because they catch smaller migratory fish, they do not test every single fish (unlike competitor Is Safe Catch Tuna Clean|Safe Catch). Occasional spikes can happen.

Why This Matters

Most canned tuna is a nutritional ghost of what it could be. Big brands like Starkist and Bumble Bee typically pre-cook the tuna on racks, draining away the natural oils (and Omega-3s), then put the dry meat in a can, add water or soy-vegetable broth, and cook it again. You are paying for dry protein and water.

Wild Planet changed the industry by cooking only once. They hand-pack raw tuna steaks into the can with a touch of salt, seal it, and pressure cook it. The result is a tuna steak floating in its own juices. This retains 100% of the Omega-3 fatty acids—often 4-6 times more than water-packed conventional tuna.

Sustainability is the other half of the story. Conventional "purse seine" fishing uses massive nets that scoop up everything in the ocean, killing sharks, turtles, and juvenile fish. Wild Planet uses pole and line (literally one guy, one pole, one fish). It is inefficient, expensive, and absolutely necessary for ocean health.

What's Actually In Wild Planet Tuna

The ingredient list is refreshingly short.

• Skipjack / Albacore Tuna — Wild-caught using pole and line methods. Mercury In Fish
• Sea Salt — Simple seasoning. (They also sell "No Salt Added" versions).

Note: You will not find "Vegetable Broth" (often hidden soy/MSG), "Pyrophosphate" (texture additive), or "Spring Water" (filler) in their standard cans.

What to Look For

Green Flags:

• "Pole & Line Caught" — This is the most sustainable certification. If a can just says "Dolphin Safe," it usually isn't enough.
• "Do Not Drain" — If the label says this, it means the liquid is high-value fish oil, not filler water.
• BPA-Free Lining — Wild Planet cans do not use Bisphenol-A in their linings.

Red Flags:

• "Chunk Light" (Generic) — Often a mix of species and catch methods with higher mercury variance.
• Vegetable Broth/Hydrolyzed Protein — Additives used to fake moisture in overcooked fish.
• Dented Cans — Avoid any dented cans, regardless of brand, due to botulism risk.

The Mercury Question: Wild Planet vs. Safe Catch

This is the most common question. Both are excellent brands, but they solve different problems.

Wild Planet's Skipjack averages 0.067 ppm mercury, and their Albacore averages 0.17 ppm. The FDA limit is 1.0 ppm. While Wild Planet is safe for most adults, Consumer Reports (2023) found occasional spikes in Wild Planet cans. For strict strict safety (pregnancy), Is Safe Catch Tuna Clean|Safe Catch or avoiding tuna is the safer bet.

The Best Options

If you are buying Wild Planet, here is how to prioritize their products:

The Bottom Line

1. Buy Wild Planet for the nutrition. The "once-cooked" process means you are getting significantly more Omega-3s per dollar than cheap brands.

2. Don't drain the liquid. That liquid is pure gold—mix it back into the tuna or pour it over your salad.

3. Choose Skipjack over Albacore for everyday eating. It naturally has about 3x less mercury than Albacore.

FAQ

Is Wild Planet tuna safe for pregnancy?

Proceed with caution. While safer than generic brands, Wild Planet does not test every can. We recommend Is Safe Catch Tuna Clean|Safe Catch Elite for pregnant women, or switching to Are Sardines Healthy|Sardines which are naturally lower in mercury.

Why is Wild Planet tuna so expensive?

You're paying for real fish, not water. A 5oz can of Wild Planet is a 5oz tuna steak. A 5oz can of Starkist is often 3.5oz of tuna and 1.5oz of water/broth. Plus, pole-and-line fishing costs significantly more than scooping up the ocean with nets.

Does Wild Planet have BPA?

No. Wild Planet uses BPA-free can linings for all their products.

Do I need to drain Wild Planet tuna?

No! The liquid in the can is natural fish oil (pot liquor) released during the cooking process. It is loaded with Vitamin D and Omega-3s. Mash it back into the fish for better texture and nutrition.

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