The Short Answer
If you are pregnant, nursing, or feeding a young child, buy Safe Catch. It is the only brand that tests every single fish to a strict mercury limit (10x lower than the FDA limit for their Elite version). You pay for the guarantee, but for vulnerable groups, it is non-negotiable.
If you are buying for sustainability or flavor, buy Wild Planet. Their "pole and line" catch method is the environmental gold standard (zero bycatch), and their texture is a solid "steak" rather than the sometimes-mushy Safe Catch. It is still low mercury compared to conventional brands, just not individually verified.
Why This Matters
Canned tuna is a convenient superfood ruined by industrial processing and mercury contamination. Conventional brands (Starkist, Bumble Bee) use a "twice-cooked" method: they catch fish, freeze them, boil them on racks, scrub off the skin, and then can them with vegetable broth or water to replace the lost moisture. This destroys the natural omega-3s and flavor.
Mercury is the silent dealbreaker. Tuna are predators that bioaccumulate mercury, a neurotoxin. The FDA limit is 1.0 ppm (parts per million), but health experts agree that frequent consumption requires levels much lower.
Both Safe Catch and Wild Planet fix the processing issue by cooking the fish only once, right in the can. This retains 100% of the natural oils. Where they differ is how they solve the mercury and sustainability equation.
Comparison: Mercury Safety
Safe Catch is the undisputed king of verified safety.
- They developed proprietary technology to test every single fish dockside.
- Safe Catch Elite (Skipjack): Limit is 0.1 ppm (10x stricter than FDA).
- Safe Catch Albacore: Limit is 0.3 ppm (3x stricter than FDA).
- Independent tests confirm this: Mamavation found Safe Catch Elite averaged 51 ppb (parts per billion), the lowest in their test group.
Wild Planet relies on species selection.
- They source smaller, migratory fish which naturally have less mercury.
- They do not test every fish. They test batches/averages.
- Independent tests found Wild Planet Skipjack averaged 181 ppb. This is still excellent (conventional light tuna can range widely), but it's higher than Safe Catch.
Verdict: Safe Catch wins on mercury.
Comparison: Sustainability
Wild Planet is the gold standard for ocean health.
- 100% Pole & Line: Fishermen catch one fish at a time with a pole.
- Zero Bycatch: No turtles, dolphins, or sharks are accidentally killed.
- They have been ranked #1 by Greenpeace repeatedly.
Safe Catch is sustainable, but less rigorous.
- They use FAD-free Purse Seine nets for much of their catch.
- While "FAD-free" (Fish Aggregating Device) is better than standard netting, purse seines still scoop up schools of fish and have higher bycatch rates than a single pole and line.
- They are MSC certified, but they don't meet the "Crunchy" gold standard of 100% pole-and-line.
Verdict: Wild Planet wins on sustainability.
Comparison: Taste & Texture
Wild Planet generally tastes better.
- Texture: Known for a firm "steak in a can." You have to break it apart with a fork.
- Flavor: Tastes like fresh fish. Because they use pole-and-line, the fish are often handled better.
- Liquid: Packed in its own juices (or olive oil).
Safe Catch has a mixed reputation on texture.
- Texture: The "Elite" (skipjack) can be mushy or shredded. Because they test every fish, the mechanical handling is different.
- Moisture: Often described as "dryer" or needing more mayo.
- Flavor: Can have a stronger, more "mineral" or savory taste.
Verdict: Wild Planet wins on taste.
What to Look For
Green Flags (Both Brands):
- Cooked Once: The label should say "cooked in the can" or "retain natural juices."
- No Additives: Ingredients should be "Tuna, Salt" (or just Tuna). No pyrophosphates or vegetable broth.
- BPA-Free Cans: Standard for premium brands now.
Red Flags (Conventional Brands):
- "Vegetable Broth": Code for "we boiled the flavor out, so we added soy-based liquid back in." Is Soy Lecithin Safe
- "Light" Tuna: Usually skipjack, but in conventional brands, it's often a mix of species with varying mercury levels.
- Chunk vs. Solid: "Chunk" is often the scraps gathered from the floor of the processing facility.
The Bottom Line
1. For Pregnancy/Kids: Buy Safe Catch Elite. The peace of mind from the 100% testing guarantee is worth the price.
2. For Flavor/Ethics: Buy Wild Planet. The texture is superior for salads, and you are supporting the most ethical fishing method on earth.
3. Avoid Albacore if possible: Even from these brands, Albacore (white tuna) has 3x the mercury of Skipjack (light tuna). Stick to the smaller fish for daily eating. Fish Lowest Mercury
FAQ
Is Safe Catch actually lower in mercury?
Yes. Independent labs have verified that Safe Catch Elite consistently tests lower than other brands. Because they reject fish that spike high in mercury (about 1 in 4 fish!), their average is significantly lower than brands that don't filter individual fish.
Why is Wild Planet cheaper at Costco?
Costco sells Wild Planet Albacore in bulk, which brings the price down significantly. However, remember that Albacore is naturally higher in mercury than Skipjack. Even Wild Planet's Albacore will have more mercury than Safe Catch's Elite Skipjack.
Do I need to drain these cans?
No. Do not drain them! Since they are cooked once in the can, that liquid is pure fish oil loaded with Omega-3s. Mash it back into the fish. If you drain it, you're pouring the healthiest part down the sink.
References (8)
- 1. triplepundit.com
- 2. greenpeace.org
- 3. azurestandard.com
- 4. reddit.com
- 5. reddit.com
- 6. terrapowders.com
- 7. fairwaymarket.com
- 8. reddit.com