Canned tuna is one of those grocery staples that almost everyone has sitting in their pantry. It’s cheap, it’s versatile, and it lasts forever. But here’s the thing — not all canned tuna is created equal. Some brands taste like they were scraped off the floor of a fishing dock, while others actually deliver something worth eating. And behind the scenes, some of the biggest names in the tuna game have been caught up in price-fixing scandals, labor controversies, and flat-out deceptive practices that should make you think twice before tossing that can into your cart.
I’ve dug into blind taste tests, expert opinions, investigative reports, and industry rankings to bring you a definitive list of canned tuna brands, ranked from the absolute worst to the one that’s actually worth your money. Let’s get into it.
8. Genova (Tri-Union Seafoods) — Dead Last
Look, Genova used to have a decent reputation. People liked the yellowfin tuna packed in olive oil. It felt a little premium, a little European, a little fancy for a can of fish. But right now, this brand is in serious trouble, and it earns the bottom spot on this list for one very specific reason.
On January 16, 2026, Tri-Union Seafoods expanded a recall of Genova brand yellowfin tuna after a third-party distributor accidentally shipped out quarantined product that was supposed to have been pulled from shelves back in February 2025. That original recall was triggered by a manufacturing defect in the “easy open” pull-tab lid that could compromise the can’s seal over time, potentially leading to contamination with Clostridium botulinum.
The affected products — four-packs of five-ounce cans of Genova Yellowfin Tuna in Olive Oil (UPC 4800073265) and five-ounce cans of Genova Yellowfin Tuna in Extra Virgin Olive Oil with Sea Salt — were mistakenly shipped to stores across nine states, including Meijer locations in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin; Giant Food stores in Maryland and Virginia; and Safeway, Albertsons, Vons, and Pavilions locations in California. Cans marked with codes S84N D2L (best-by January 21, 2028) and S84N D3L (best-by January 24, 2028) are the ones to watch for.
If you have any of these cans at home, return them to where you bought them for a full refund, throw them away, or contact Tri-Union Seafoods directly at support@thaiunionhelp.zendesk.com or 833-374-0171 (Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) for a retrieval kit and replacement coupon. As Purdue University’s Food Science department noted, even if cans don’t look damaged, consumers should comply with the recall. No illnesses had been reported as of the announcement, but this isn’t something to gamble on.
A brand that can’t keep recalled product off store shelves — nearly a year after the initial recall — has a serious quality control problem. That alone puts Genova at the very bottom of this list.
7. StarKist — The Can Nobody Wants to Open
StarKist might be one of the most recognizable tuna brands in America thanks to Charlie the Tuna, but recognition doesn’t equal quality. In multiple blind taste tests, StarKist consistently ranks among the worst options available. Tasters describe it as overwhelmingly fishy — and not in a good, fresh-from-the-ocean way. More like a “cleaning shack smell” situation. The water-packed albacore version delivers dry, crumbly chunks with a strange sawdust-like aftertaste that no amount of mayo can fix.
At around $1.69 for a five-ounce can, it’s not even that cheap. And for what you’re getting — bland, salty fish that barely registers as tuna even when buried in a sandwich — it’s a terrible value.
But the problems with StarKist go way beyond taste. The brand, now owned by a South Korean conglomerate, pleaded guilty to participating in a price-fixing conspiracy with Bumble Bee and Chicken of the Sea. During the period in question (roughly 2011 to 2013), consumers paid more for less — the standard can shrank from six ounces to five while prices went up. StarKist paid tens of millions in fines. The company also refused to follow FDA food hazard regulations in 2011 after its product was deemed adulterated. Customers regularly complain about the tuna being too dry, odd in color, and lacking any transparency about where the fish actually comes from. Hard pass.
6. Chicken of the Sea — Cheap for a Reason
Chicken of the Sea is everywhere. It’s in every supermarket, every dollar store, every vending machine in America. And at just over a dollar per can, it’s one of the cheapest options you’ll find. But crack one open and you’ll immediately understand why.
Blind taste testers describe the experience as opening a can to find tuna swimming in a sad puddle of water. The texture is chalky. The “oil” listed on some varieties is actually soybean oil, not olive oil, and it tastes thin and watery. Multiple testers noted the fish goes from dry to completely disintegrating in your mouth — there’s no pleasant middle ground.
Behind the scenes, Chicken of the Sea is owned by Thai Union Group, a Thai conglomerate that has faced serious allegations of exploiting fishermen, including reports of workers experiencing physical violence aboard ships where they were confined for months or even years. The company has also been linked to ocean pollution and unethical fishing practices. Oh, and there have been reports of their tuna being undercooked due to equipment malfunctions.
Chicken of the Sea did cooperate with the DOJ during the price-fixing investigation to avoid prosecution — but let’s be clear, they were still part of the scheme. They just snitched first. Not exactly a badge of honor.
5. Bumble Bee — America’s Oldest Tuna Disgrace
Bumble Bee holds the distinction of being the oldest canned tuna brand in America and also one of the most controversial. It controls about 25% of the US canned tuna market, and the list of problems trailing this brand is staggering.
Let’s start with how it tastes: the albacore version packed in water looks completely dried out and pre-chewed when you pop the lid. The texture is tough and inconsistent — sometimes mealy, sometimes rubbery, never satisfying.
But the real nightmare is what happens before that tuna hits the can. A Greenpeace investigation exposed potential links between Bumble Bee’s owner, Fong Chun Formosa (FCF), and fishing vessels engaged in forced labor and shark finning — the practice of cutting fins off living sharks and throwing them overboard to slowly starve. Bumble Bee’s human rights policy for tuna vessels falls well below international standards, with weak protections for migrant workers and no grievance mechanism in place.
And then there’s the price-fixing. Bumble Bee’s former CEO, Christopher Lischewski, was convicted of orchestrating the price-fixing conspiracy alongside StarKist and Chicken of the Sea. Bumble Bee paid millions in fines. Lischewski had previously worked at StarKist before joining Bumble Bee, which is how the collusion formed so naturally across competing companies. It’s worth noting that if you buy Costco’s Kirkland brand canned tuna, it’s sourced and packaged by Bumble Bee. Same fish, different label.
4. Great Value (Walmart) — A Store Brand With Borrowed Problems
Walmart’s Great Value canned tuna is one of the most purchased store-brand tunas in the country, largely because of its rock-bottom price and the sheer number of Walmart locations. But here’s what most shoppers don’t realize: Great Value tuna is predominantly made by Thai Union Group — the same company behind Chicken of the Sea.
That means all those labor controversies, the fishing ethics issues, and the general quality problems associated with Chicken of the Sea carry right over to the Walmart brand. You’re essentially getting the same tuna in a different wrapper. The taste is uninspiring — functional at best, forgettable at worst. It’ll do in a pinch for a basic tuna casserole where the fish is barely the point, but if you’re making tuna salad or eating it straight from the can, you’ll notice the difference immediately.
Great Value isn’t the worst tuna you can buy, but you should know exactly what you’re paying for — and what you’re supporting — when you reach for it. Greenpeace gave Walmart a failing score in its canned tuna sustainability ranking, alongside Kroger and the other big-box store brands.
3. Kirkland Signature (Costco) — Better Than You’d Expect, But With a Catch
Costco’s Kirkland Signature albacore tuna is genuinely decent tuna. The chunks are solid, the flavor is clean, and the price per can is competitive when you’re buying in bulk. A lot of Costco loyalists swear by it, and for good reason — it tastes noticeably better than any of the big three brands.
But here’s the catch that most Costco shoppers don’t know: Kirkland canned tuna is sourced and packaged by Bumble Bee. That means all the ethical baggage — the forced labor allegations, the shark finning connections, the price-fixing history — comes along for the ride. You’re getting better quality control and arguably better-tasting fish, but the supply chain is the same one that Greenpeace has been sounding alarms about for years.
If taste is all you care about and ethics aren’t part of your shopping calculus, Kirkland is a solid mid-tier pick. But if you want to feel good about what you’re eating in every sense, keep reading.
2. Wild Planet — The Real Deal for Everyday Tuna
Wild Planet is where things start to actually get good. This brand was rated in Greenpeace’s top “green” category for sustainability, meaning they use responsible fishing methods, avoid destructive practices, and maintain real traceability from ocean to can.
But the best part? It actually tastes great. Wild Planet skipjack and albacore both deliver firm, flavorful chunks with a clean ocean taste — no fishy funk, no chalky texture, no mystery puddle at the bottom of the can. The fish is packed in its own juices rather than cheap soybean oil, and you can tell the difference immediately.
At around $3.50 to $4.50 per can depending on where you shop, it’s more expensive than the big three, but you’re getting a dramatically better product. For regular tuna salad, pasta, or just eating with crackers, Wild Planet is the sweet spot between quality and price.
1. Safe Catch — The Best Canned Tuna You Can Buy
Safe Catch takes the top spot, and it’s not even close. This brand does something no other major tuna company bothers to do: they test every single fish individually before it’s accepted. CEO Bryan Boches says the company has tested over six million individual tuna. That level of quality control is unheard of in this industry.
Consumer Reports’ testing found that some cans from other brands contained concerning spikes — roughly one in five cans across popular brands showed elevated levels. Safe Catch’s rigorous individual testing process means you’re getting a consistently superior product every single time you open a can. No surprises, no Russian roulette.
The taste backs up the testing. Safe Catch’s Wild Elite and Wild Albacore deliver rich, meaty tuna with excellent texture — firm but tender, flavorful without being overpowering. The Elite skipjack is fantastic in tuna salad, while the albacore is good enough to eat on its own with just a squeeze of lemon.
Yes, you’ll pay more — up to $5 for the albacore and around $3.50 for the light tuna. But considering you’re getting individually tested fish, sustainable sourcing, and genuinely superior flavor, it’s worth every penny. When Consumer Reports investigated the canned tuna aisle, Safe Catch stood out as the brand doing things right.
If you’re going to eat canned tuna — and most of us are — stop wasting your money on brands that taste like cardboard, rip you off on pricing, and can’t even keep recalled product off store shelves. Upgrade to Safe Catch and never look back.
