# If Subway's Tuna Ain't Tuna, Then What Is It? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** food-cooking\ **Created:** [January 29, 2021, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-subways-tuna-aint-tuna-then-what-is-it/931773 "2021-01-29T14:13:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2021, 4:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-subways-tuna-aint-tuna-then-what-is-it/931773/61 "2021-01-30T04:56:58Z")
> [@cochrane](#): > > So, what is it? Is it chicken, or is it fish? Is it Chicken of the Sea? It certainly can be confusing. 😃 [![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2h72aXVP8o) ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2021, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-subways-tuna-aint-tuna-then-what-is-it/931773/62 "2021-01-30T05:22:25Z")
After posting in this thread earlier I experienced a singular coincidence. I decided to put away an air mattress and placed it in the bottom of the built in wardrobe in my spare bedroom. Laying on the floor was a small packet of folded paper with printing on it. Unfolded, it turned out to be 5 unused Subway paper napkins. They had the company logo, “eat fresh,” and dietary details for several six inch sandwiches. It has been years since I went to a Subway. I cannot remember when I last ate there. However, the 9 sandwiches listed did not include the tuna melt. ---
**Author:** ![BlankSlate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blankslate/32/80_2.png) [@BlankSlate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlankSlate)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2021, 9:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-subways-tuna-aint-tuna-then-what-is-it/931773/63 "2021-01-30T09:54:00Z")
> [@FriendlyCurmudgeon](#): > > Their lettuce on the other hand tastes like ass, and yes I have. ‘New keyboard’ ‘startled cat’ etc… 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2021, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-subways-tuna-aint-tuna-then-what-is-it/931773/64 "2021-01-30T14:04:50Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > The most common species mislabeled as tuna was [escolar](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Escolar), also known as “white tuna.” When served as sushi, escolar is delicious. I have intestinal issues if I eat it, sadly. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2021, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-subways-tuna-aint-tuna-then-what-is-it/931773/65 "2021-01-30T15:10:53Z")
Orphan. The very best quality cut of Orphan. ---
**Author:** ![Folly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folly/32/3219_2.png) [@Folly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folly)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2021, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-subways-tuna-aint-tuna-then-what-is-it/931773/66 "2021-01-30T19:03:31Z")
Well, I know it’s not a piano… because you can tune a piano but you can’t tuna fish… ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2021, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-subways-tuna-aint-tuna-then-what-is-it/931773/67 "2021-01-30T19:06:15Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > > [@Colibri](#): > > > > The most common species mislabeled as tuna was [escolar](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Escolar), also known as “white tuna.” > > When served as sushi, escolar is delicious. I have intestinal issues if I eat it, sadly. In small quantities I quite like it. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2021, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-subways-tuna-aint-tuna-then-what-is-it/931773/68 "2021-01-30T19:14:33Z")
> [@Dr\_Paprika](#): > > People know what tuna tastes like. Bad publicity would hurt sales. People sue due to allergies. It’s not very credible. This sort of thing also attracts a lot of very unpleasant sorts of attention from the authorities. Selling food is subject to a great many rules. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2021, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-subways-tuna-aint-tuna-then-what-is-it/931773/69 "2021-01-30T19:24:20Z")
Those immense drift nets pull in a lot of by-catch, that often gets tossed overboard. I seem to recall an issue concerning marine mammals. If it is not tuna and it is not fish, perhaps it is some of that by-catch. Which would probably not be Subway’s fault directly, just that they picked a questionable supplier. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2021, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-subways-tuna-aint-tuna-then-what-is-it/931773/70 "2021-01-30T20:08:45Z")
Subway is probably better off purchasing canned tuna and “freshly” mixing it with mayonnaise than purchasing a premixed “salad” made to their specifications. This case will go nowhere and the counter suit will be substantial. A few articles mention CBC used Trent University to test the percentage of chicken in the chicken at Subway. Originally, a court refused to allow Subway to sue due to “public interest”. But of course it affected their sales. An appeal court is allowing them to sue for loss of reputation and damaged business. ---
**Author:** ![Folly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folly/32/3219_2.png) [@Folly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folly)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2021, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-subways-tuna-aint-tuna-then-what-is-it/931773/71 "2021-01-30T20:16:57Z")
> [@Dr\_Paprika](#): > > Subway is probably better off purchasing canned tuna and “freshly” mixing it with mayonnaise than purchasing a premixed “salad” made to their specifications That’s what they do. Well the ‘canned tuna’ is bagged tuna. Warning [tiktok video](https://www.tiktok.com/@mommamarss/video/6843439401624882438?sender_device=pc&sender_web_id=6880982649129928198&is_from_webapp=v1&is_copy_url=0) ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2021, 7:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-subways-tuna-aint-tuna-then-what-is-it/931773/72 "2021-01-31T07:37:15Z")
Is that a tuna roll in your pocket, or are you just happy sashimi? ---
**Author:** ![williambaskerville](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f14d63/32.png) [@williambaskerville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/williambaskerville)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2021, 8:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-subways-tuna-aint-tuna-then-what-is-it/931773/73 "2021-01-31T08:04:44Z")
I have no information on their tuna, but the Irish Supreme Court recently ruled that Subway bread is not in fact bread. > **[Subway bread is not bread, Irish court rules](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/oct/01/irish-court-rules-subway-bread-is-not-bread)** > > Judge finds that sugar content of US chain’s sandwiches exceeds stipulated limit and they should thus be classified as confectionery It’s sugar content is to be high to be classed as bread, apparently. ---
**Author:** ![tavaritz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/71e660/32.png) [@tavaritz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tavaritz)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2021, 9:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-subways-tuna-aint-tuna-then-what-is-it/931773/74 "2021-01-31T09:59:15Z")
There was a question on a newspaper in Finland that asked how come certain sausages claim that they contain more than 100% of meat. The answer was that the meat is weighted fresh and the sausage after it’s dried so 100g of sausage could have been made of 120g of meat. ---
**Author:** ![Folly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folly/32/3219_2.png) [@Folly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folly)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2021, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-subways-tuna-aint-tuna-then-what-is-it/931773/75 "2021-01-31T18:00:48Z")
> [@williambaskerville](#): > > It’s sugar content is to be high to be classed as bread, apparently. Would you like that on the wheat pastry, the italian pastry, the Herb & Cheese pastry, or would you like to try our new multigrain pastry wrap? ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2021, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-subways-tuna-aint-tuna-then-what-is-it/931773/76 "2021-01-31T18:07:52Z")
This is why I stopped eating their tuna – just way too much mayo. Haven’t eaten at the Sub in a while but I used to get the tuna fairly often and never thought it wasn’t tuna. I started eating some of their other subs, which were ‘meh’ but good when hungry. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2021, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-subways-tuna-aint-tuna-then-what-is-it/931773/77 "2021-01-31T18:23:04Z")
> [@eschereal](#): > > Those immense drift nets pull in a lot of by-catch, that often gets tossed overboard. Huh. I thought tuna was caught with poles or trolling. But then I remembered ‘dolphin-safe’ tuna, and that the problem was dolphins were being caught in nets. I blame cerebral flatulence on my part. Anyway… [https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/green/news/2011/05/06/9661/fish-schticks-a-tour-of-fast-food-fish/](https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/green/news/2011/05/06/9661/fish-schticks-a-tour-of-fast-food-fish/) > **What’s in it:** Well, tuna, duh. But what kind of tuna? Probably not bluefin, given that a single one of those babies sold recently in Tokyo for over [$400,000—](http://www.fieldandstream.com/blogs/fishing/2011/01/400k-bluefin-tuna-breaks-sales-record)$530 per pound. Their [ingredients](http://www.subway.com/subwayroot/menunutrition/menu/menu_kidspak.aspx) list cites only “dolphin-safe tuna,” but further digging reveals Subway uses canned chunk-light tuna, which is mostly comprised of Albacore, Bigeye, Skipjack, and Yellowfin. > > **Sustainability rating:** Bottom of the barrel at least as far as this list is concerned. [Seafood Watch explains](http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/cr/SeafoodWatch/web/sfw_factsheet.aspx?gid=53) that the sustainability of canned tuna varies greatly based on the method by which the fish are caught. Canned tuna labeled troll- or pole-caught is the most eco-friendly, but these tuna are typically labeled as “white” or “light,” not “chunk light.” The chunk light tuna used by Subway carries an “avoid” rating. ---
**Author:** ![pirviii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pirviii/32/3233_2.png) [@pirviii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pirviii)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2021, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-subways-tuna-aint-tuna-then-what-is-it/931773/78 "2021-01-31T19:22:33Z")
I would think that the tuna they use is similar to the tuna I get for 59 cents a can. Tastes fine with some mayo and relish. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2021, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-subways-tuna-aint-tuna-then-what-is-it/931773/79 "2021-01-31T19:27:29Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > how Subway would get it as well. Sure, but if you look at it from Subway’s perspective, it makes a lot of sense. They already use a large amount of mayonnaise as a condiment on sandwiches, so they’re always going to have large quantities of that around. And canned tuna is something that has an almost eternal shelf life at room temperature if it’s unopened. So they can keep their supply chain and in-store storage simpler by just basically shipping slightly more mayonnaise than they might otherwise, along with cans of tuna that require no special refrigeration or handling. Then at the store itself, they can mix it in one-can lots as needed. That way, if you’re at a store that sells a lot of tuna sandwiches, you can adjust the tuna & mayonnaise separately, and vice-versa at a store that doesn’t sell much tuna. This would waste less and be easier to handle in the store. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2021, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-subways-tuna-aint-tuna-then-what-is-it/931773/80 "2021-01-31T19:30:53Z")
I’d be willing to bet that there’s some foreign fruit jam that’s labeled “Fruit spread” here in the US instead of jam, jelly or preserves, because the fruit content doesn’t fall in the exact range for those labels. Same exact thing with Subway bread in Ireland. Doesn’t have anything to do with quality or deception whatsoever. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-subways-tuna-aint-tuna-then-what-is-it/931773.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-subways-tuna-aint-tuna-then-what-is-it/931773.md?page=5)