StarKist Chunk Light Tuna, in Water
What You Should Know
StarKist Chunk Light Tuna in Water is a familiar canned-seafood staple found in the grocery canned seafood aisle, shelved alongside other tuna varieties, canned salmon, sardines, and quick-protein pantry items like canned beans and chicken. Packaged in a steel can with a drained-weight label and straightforward branding, it reads as a practical, nutrition-forward choice: 100% wild caught, gluten free, dolphin safe, and American Heart Association certified with a callout for DHA and EPA omega-3s. Shoppers typically reach for it on grocery runs focused on budget-friendly protein, meal-prep sessions, or emergency stock-ups. It works for quick lunches, weeknight salads, simple sandwiches, and tuna casseroles or pasta — anywhere a compact, ready protein is useful. Brand positioning leans on reliability and family-friendly nutrition: StarKist markets to busy households, active adults, and value shoppers who want a trustworthy seafood option without specialty claims like organic. The label uses health halos (omega-3s, heart-healthy certification, "wild caught") rather than child-focused mascots or indulgent cues; there is no organic certification. In plain processing terms, the fish is cooked, sealed, and preserved in water with a small vegetable broth, salt, and a pyrophosphate additive to stabilize texture. Sensory notes: moist, flaky pale tuna with a mild savory sea flavor and a firm-but-tender bite; texture softens when mixed into salads or spreads. The ritual is utilitarian — open, drain, flake into a bowl — but it also carries a cultural role as a pantry mainstay in American kitchens, evoking quick comfort meals and economical nutrition.
Nutrition Facts
Ingredients
Light, Tuna,, Water,, Vegetable, Broth,, Salt,, Pyrophosphate..
Dietary Labels
Ultra-Processing Assessment
Processed Food
Why this score?
Canned tuna is a processed food: the whole fish is cooked and sealed with water, salt, and a small additive (pyrophosphate) for texture and stability, but it is not a highly reformulated industrial product, so it fits NOVA group 3 (processed foods).
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Common Questions about StarKist Chunk Light Tuna, in Water
Absolutely! This tuna packs a punch with 10 grams of protein per serving and just 45 calories. While it’s not organic or high in fiber, it’s a great option for a lean protein source, especially if you're looking for something light and nutritious.
