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StarKist Chunk Light Tuna in Vegetable Oil
Canned & Packaged Goods
📊 NOVA 3🌾 Gluten-Free🥛 Dairy-Free

StarKist Chunk Light Tuna in Vegetable Oil

StarKist
5 oz
Available at Foodtown
160
Calories
20g
Protein
360mg
Sodium
8
Ingredients

What You Should Know

StarKist Chunk Light Tuna in Vegetable Oil (5 oz) is a familiar canned-seafood staple you’ll spot in the center-store canned goods aisle, shelved with other canned fish, salmon, sardines, soup, and pantry proteins. The bright, retro StarKist branding — often accompanied by the Charlie the Tuna mascot — signals a mainstream, family-friendly product positioned for convenience-minded shoppers who want quick protein that stores well. Typical shopping occasions include stocking up for quick weeknight dinners, lunchbox assembly, storm prep, or emergency pantry rotation. Marketing leans into reliability and convenience rather than artisanal cachet: messaging emphasizes shelf-stability, ease of use, and simple ingredients rather than organic or premium sourcing. The label tends to present health halos like “good source of protein” while rarely carrying organic certification; graphics are straightforward and non-pretentious, appealing to families, busy professionals, and budget-conscious consumers. Processing context, in plain terms: this is cooked tuna that’s been canned with oil and salt to make it shelf-stable — processed for safety and longevity. Sensory details: the tuna flakes into moist, slightly oily pieces with a firm but flaky texture; the soybean oil gives a mild richness and a saline finish from the added broth and salt. Packaging is a small metal can (often a pull-tab) that’s easy to open and portable; ritual use includes flaking into salads, mixing with mayo for sandwiches, spooning onto crackers, or heating briefly for a tuna melt. In American grocery culture it reads as a practical pantry workhorse — unglamorous but trusted, often reaching for when speed, affordability, and protein are the priorities.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 1
Servings per Container: 1
Calories160
% Daily Value*
Total Fat9g12%
Saturated Fat1.5g8%
Cholesterol45mg15%
Sodium360mg16%
Total Carbohydrate0g0%
Protein20g
* The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Ingredients

Light, Tuna,, Soybean, Oil,, Water,, Vegetable, Broth,, Salt..

Flagged Ingredients:

  • soybean oil - Seed oil high in omega-6 fatty acids
No Seed Oil

Dietary Labels

This product is not vegan, is gluten-free, and is not organic.

Ultra-Processing Assessment

NOVA Score:3 / 4

Processed Food

Why this score?

Canned tuna preserved in oil with added salt and broth is a processed food made for shelf-stability (cooked and packaged), so it fits NOVA group 3 rather than minimally processed or ultra-processed.

Daily Ritual

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Common Questions about StarKist Chunk Light Tuna in Vegetable Oil

The Chunk Light Tuna in Vegetable Oil can be a healthy choice, especially if you're looking for a high-protein option. With 20 grams of protein per serving, it’s great for muscle maintenance and satiety. Just keep in mind that 'healthy' can depend on your personal dietary needs and goals — for instance, if you're watching your sodium intake, you might want to be mindful of the 360mg per serving.

Perfect For

meal-prep-sunday
back-to-school
storm-prep

Vibe:

convenientpracticalnostalgic
$NaN
per package