We know there’s been a lot of talk on this topic, including misinformation generated in the media, so we created this page to set forth the facts and help clarify any misunderstandings.
Tuna Fact Check
MYTH The New York Times reported Subway’s premium, fan-favorite tuna wasn’t actually tuna.
TRUTH Not true! What actually happened is that the New York Times commissioned a test that couldn’t detect tuna DNA in their sample. According to scientific experts, this is not unusual when testing cooked tuna and it absolutely doesn’t mean the sample that was tested contained zero tuna.
The New York Times test results only show that the type of DNA test done by the unnamed lab wasn’t a reliable way of determining whether the sample was tuna or not. If the test had confirmed the existence of a protein other than tuna, questions could have been raised. However, their “non-detect” conclusion really just means that the test was inadequate in determining what the protein was. In other words, it was a problem with the test, not the tuna.
Still not convinced? Check out USA Today’s independent fact check of the New York Times’ conclusion, which found it lacked important context about the limitations of DNA testing of denatured proteins, and some additional information from food DNA testing firm Applied Food Technologies about why DNA testing isn’t always conclusive in testing processed tuna given the cooking and packaging process breaks down the DNA fragments. The challenge of accurately testing processed tuna DNA has been known for a while, and even studied by scientists.
Additionally, the reckless complaint that spurred this misinformation was rightfully dismissed by the Court on October 7, 2021. While the plaintiffs have filed an amended complaint, Subway is moving swiftly to file a new motion to dismiss the lawsuit once again.
Tuna Q&A
Has anyone else ever tested Subway’s tuna?
Yes. We test our tuna regularly to ensure it meets Subway’s stringent quality and safety requirements. And, of course, we have to comply with FDA regulations. But you don’t have to take our word for it. Applied Food Technologies is one of the only labs in the country with the ability to test broken-down fish DNA, which makes it more accurate in testing processed tuna. AFT conducted more than 50 individual tests on 150 pounds of Subway’s tuna for Inside Edition and confirmed yellowfin and/or skipjack tuna in every sample.
What requirements are in place to ensure that the tuna I buy is real tuna?
The processing and selling of tuna is highly regulated by governments around the world. In the U.S., the FDA has strict rules that we have to follow. In addition, the Seafood Import Monitoring Program (SIMP) requires complete traceability of all tuna from time of catch through processing into finished goods and is required by U.S. Federal law.
What other quality control mechanisms are in place to ensure I’m getting 100% tuna?
In addition to standard testing and food quality measures taken to ensure the premium quality of all the food Subway serves, there are several certificates associated with the tuna in Subway’s U.S restaurants.
• The Fisheries Certificate of Origin—a form provided by NOAA Fisheries—lists the exporter and importer information for the tuna, the exact species of the tuna, and the catch method.
• The Captain’s Statement includes the boat captain’s name and verification of the catch method and traceability information, including the Food and Agriculture Organization’s major fishing area identification number.
• And the Catch Certificate lists the name of the boat that caught the fish and each volume of species harvested on that ship in metric tons. Subway’s tuna is also certified Dolphin Safe and Kosher.
What is the status of the lawsuit that started all of this misinformation?
• The Court dismissed the reckless and improper complaint surrounding Subway’s tuna on October 7, 2021. While the plaintiffs have filed an amended complaint, Subway is moving swiftly to file a new motion to dismiss it, as our position has not changed – we serve 100% real, wild-caught tuna.
What about the allegations that Subway tuna is processed beyond recognition, is “flake” tuna or may contain other kinds of fish protein?
FDA-regulated Subway importers use only 100% wild-caught tuna from whole round, twice cleaned, skipjack tuna loins. Reclaimed meat and flake are strictly prohibited by our standards. The tuna that Subway guests enjoy is not processed any differently than canned or pouch tuna found in the average supermarket.
It’s also important to note that the word “flake” can be used in two different contexts when it comes to tuna, and this misunderstanding is a matter of semantics. Flaked tuna is not the same as tuna flake. Subway’s tuna product is listed as “Flaked Tuna in Brine” on its labels to describe the preparation of the tuna—specifically the piece size and the texture. It may display differently on the import records, where it appears to be written in short-hand. Subway specifically prohibits the use of any tuna flake, byproduct, or remnants in its tuna.
Who sources Subway tuna?
In the U.S., Subway’s tuna importers are Rema Foods and Jana Brands.
Rema Foods is a family-owned business, founded in 1964. It is a leading global food supplier, focused on providing unique specialty and commodity-based products. Their company has been a proud food supplier to Subway Restaurants for more than 20 years.
Statement from Rema Foods
Recent media articles have made false claims or insinuations that Subway’s tuna is not tuna. These articles are extremely misleading, and in many cases, grossly inaccurate. A global and trusted name in the industry, Rema Foods has worked to import tuna for Subway for more than 20 years. Our company sources some of the high-quality, premium tuna that Subway serves in its restaurants, and we can confirm that Subway uses only 100% wild-caught tuna.
Among other things, what these articles ignore is that the fishing, processing and transportation of tuna is highly regulated by the US government. There are many traceability requirements that we fulfill in sourcing tuna, starting when the fish is caught and continuing all the way through when it is delivered to the restaurant.
The sensationalized media headlines—resulting from the fact that some DNA testing was completed using methods that are not capable of identifying the DNA of canned or pouched tuna—is disheartening to all of us who work with the Subway brand to deliver quality food to their millions of fans who enjoy tuna sandwiches and salads.
We take great pride in the tuna we source for Subway.
Steve Forman established Jana Brands in 1970. He grew it from a one-man business in a one-room office to a multi-national, multi-million-dollar seafood company. Jana Brands prides itself on being an innovative company since its inception bringing the industry high quality frozen and shelf-stable seafood products.
Statement from Jana Brands
We at Jana Brands are extremely disappointed in the misleading and wildly sensationalized media coverage we’re seeing around the tuna Subway serves. We have been a primary importer of Subway tuna for over 25 years and can say with confidence—this globally reputable brand serves only high-quality, premium tuna to its guests.
The tuna we source is strictly regulated—we only accept 100% wild-caught tuna from whole round, twice cleaned, skipjack tuna loins. These measures and our careful adherence to government requirements are how we know the tuna we supply to Subway is quality, 100% wild-caught tuna, which is not processed any differently than canned or pouch tuna found in the average supermarket.
We can tell you that our food scientists also can confirm that DNA testing is not a reliable method to identify any fish species after the protein is cooked.
We stand by Subway and the quality of their 100% wild-caught tuna.
Read more from Rema Foods and Jana Brands on this topic.
Outside Industry Experts Weigh In
James Barnett, Former FDA National Sensory Expert (Retired)
"Recently, I was made aware of misleading reports questioning the integrity of the tuna sold at Subway. I would like to assure everyone that Subway does indeed import large quantities of skipjack tuna into the U.S. and has done so for years, in accordance with the FDA’s stringent guidelines." Read more
Outside Industry Experts Weigh In
"I have been associated with the seafood industry for approximately 36 years, of which 22 years was working for the U. S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and 14 years as a seafood consultant for the industry.
From 1990 through 2007, I served as FDA’s national seafood sensory expert. Part of my job was to ensure that seafood being purchased by American consumers met all quality and safety standards.
Recently, I was made aware of misleading reports questioning the integrity of the tuna sold at Subway. I would like to assure everyone that Subway does indeed import large quantities of skipjack tuna into the U.S. and has done so for years, in accordance with the FDA’s stringent guidelines.
I have seen firsthand the tuna provided to Subway restaurants and can state that it is in fact real tuna."
James Barnett, Former FDA National Sensory Expert (Retired)
LeeAnn Applewhite, Co-founder and President, Applied Food Technologies, Inc
"Recently, in 2021, AFT tested over 150 pounds of Subway tuna salad (more than 50 individual tests/samples) and detected and identified tuna in every sample. My professional opinion, which is confirmed by our testing, is that Subway tuna products are indeed tuna." Read more
John DeBeer, retired VP of Quality and Compliance for Chicken of the Sea Intl, and Published Tuna Industry Expert
"We must stick with the science, and science tells us that the issue was with the unverifiable DNA testing method, not with Subway’s tuna." Read more
Outside Industry Experts Weigh In
"I have spent 50 years in the tuna business, with much of my career focused on ensuring the quality and regulatory compliance of canned tuna throughout the supply chain. Per FDA regulations, canned and pouched tuna are commercially sterilized at a high cooking temperature that denatures the DNA (i.e., breaks it down into smaller fragments)—meaning that some lab tests may not recognize these DNA fragments. It was irresponsible for a well-respected newspaper and a journalist, without a scientific background or knowledge on the topic, using an unnamed lab to conduct unreliable DNA testing on tuna, to call into question a national brand and favorite fish product with this so-called factual evidence.
We must stick with the science, and science tells us that the issue was with the unverifiable DNA testing method, not with Subway’s tuna.
As an industry veteran, I can attest that Subway works with respected and credible importers, following strict regulations, in order for their guests to enjoy a delicious, 100% real, tuna sub."
John DeBeer, retired VP of Quality and Compliance for Chicken of the Sea Intl, and Published Tuna Industry Expert As an industry veteran, I can attest that Subway works with respected and credible importers, following strict regulations, in order for their guests to enjoy a delicious, 100% real, tuna sub.
Outside Industry Experts Weigh In
"Applied Food Technologies, Inc. (AFT) has been working with the seafood industry and regulatory agencies such as FDA and USDA since 2005 to confirm the species of seafood in commerce and to verify market claims. We have worked with all the major players in the tuna industry for close to 15 years to develop DNA tests to identify species of tuna in heavily processed products such as canned/pouched tuna. Due to the high heat processing required during the canning or pouching process, tuna DNA is severely compromised (fragmented, degraded). As the DNA is fragmented in canned/pouched tuna processing, traditional DNA methods for species identification will not identify the DNA in these products. AFT has been awarded over $1M in Federal research funds to develop DNA methods that can definitively identify tuna species in canned/pouch tuna. Additionally, AFT has been provided with numerous tuna samples taken throughout the canning process from the tuna industry. With this research, we have developed DNA methods that can definitively identify tuna species in canned/pouch tuna.
Recently, in 2021, AFT tested over 150 pounds of Subway tuna salad (more than 50 individual tests/samples) and detected and identified tuna in every sample. My professional opinion, which is confirmed by our testing, is that Subway tuna products are indeed tuna.
AFT is ISO 17025 Accredited through ANAB (ANSI National Accreditation Board) specifically for DNA Speciation of Food."
LeeAnn Applewhite, Co-founder and President, Applied Food Technologies, Inc
Subway Tuna Supply Chain