Reviews and Information for Sardines
Tuna, Salmon, Sardines & Mackerel
Be careful with canned fish! Our tests showed which tuna, salmon, sardines, and mackerel are best or worst based on amounts of beneficial omega-3s (EPA and DHA) and contaminants (mercury and arsenic). Differences among albacore (white), skipjack, and yellow tuna, as well as sockeye (red) and pink salmon, sardines, and herring kippers are revealed and explained in this new report.
Tuna, Salmon, Sardines & Mackerel Review
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CL Answer
How good are sardines? Are they healthy and safe? What did CL's tests find?
Find out amounts of omega-3s (DHA and EPA), protein, and vitamin D in sardines, as well as contaminants mercury and arsenic based on ConsumerLab's tests.
Product Review
Fish Oil, Krill Oil, and Algal Oil Omega-3 (DHA & EPA) Supplements Review
See Our Omega-3 Top Picks and Avoid Rancid Fish Oils.
Clinical Update
8/01/2023
Season Sardines
A CL member asked how Season sardines with bones compares to the Season boneless sardines that we tested. Find out.
Also see our Top Picks among sardines and for canned tuna, salmon, and herring.
Clinical Update
4/04/2021
Diabetes & Sardines
Can eating sardines reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes? See what a new study found in the What It Does section of our Tuna, Salmon & Sardines Review. Also see our Top Picks for sardines, canned salmon and tuna.
Learn about the effects of fish oil supplements on blood sugar and insulin sensitivity in our Fish Oil Supplements Review.
News Release
June 12, 2025
Best & Worst Canned Tuna, Salmon, Sardines & Mackerel
White Plains, NY, June 12, 2025 – High levels of mercury and/or arsenic were found in several popular brands of canned tuna and sardines recently tested by ConsumerLab.com.
News Release
July 10, 2020
Best and Worst Tuna, Salmon and Sardines? ConsumerLab Tests Reveal Amounts of Omega-3s and Toxic Heavy Metals in Canned and Packaged Fish
White Plains, New York, July 10, 2020 — Canned and packaged tuna, salmon and sardines can be an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, but some may also be contaminated with toxic heavy metals such as mercury and arsenic.
Clinical Update
11/08/2024
Warning Label on Sardines
A CL member asked why a popular brand of sardines now carries a California Prop 65 warning label. See our answer in our Canned Fish Review, which includes our Top Picks among products (including canned tuna, salmon, herring and sardines).
CL Answer
Can I use a home test for mercury to check for mercury in fish, like canned tuna, fresh fish, and sushi?
Find out if home mercury test kits can be used to test fish, such as canned tuna, fresh fish or sushi for mercury contamination. Plus, find out how much mercury ConsumerLab found in popular canned tuna and canned salmon. ConsumerLab.com's answer explains.
Clinical Update
5/05/2025
How Cooking Affects Microplastics in Fish
The way in which a fish is cooked can affect its level of microplastic particles, according to a recent study. Get the details in the Concerns and Cautions section of our Tuna, Salmon, Sardines & Herring Review, which includes our Top Picks for tuna, salmon, sardines and herring.
Clinical Update
10/13/2020
Microplastics in Seafood?
A recent study found unexpectedly high levels of microplastic particles in certain seafoods. Get the details and see which had the highest concentration in the Concerns and Cautions section of section of our Tuna, Salmon and Sardines Review. Also see our Top Picks for tuna, salmon and sardines.
Clinical Update
2/25/2022
Mercury Levels in Tuna
A CL member asked Wild Planet to comment on the mercury levels ConsumerLab found in its tuna products. See the response in the Update to our Tuna, Salmon & Sardines Review. Also see our Top Picks among canned tuna, salmon, and sardines.
Clinical Update
6/28/2022
Herring vs Other Fish
How good is smoked herring compared to sardines, salmon, and tuna? We bought and tested two favorite herrings of CL readers, Trader Joe's and Crown Prince. See what we found, our Top Pick for herring, and how these compare on mercury, arsenic, and omega-3 fatty acids to each other and 20 other products in our Tuna, Salmon, Sardines and Herring Review.
Recalls & Warnings
January 25, 2021
Clover Leaf Sardines Recalled Due to Risk of Botulism
On January 22, 2021, Clover Leaf Seafoods Corp.
CL Answer
To avoid mercury, I tried skipjack tuna instead of albacore, but I didn't like the taste. Is it safe to continue to eat albacore if just once a week?
Concerned about mercury in albacore tuna? Find out how often it is safe to consume albacore tuna, and the best canned tuna and salmon alternatives to albacore tuna that are high in omega-3s and low in contamination with mercury. ConsumerLab.com's answer explains.
Clinical Update
11/13/2024
Mercury in Canned Tuna
High levels of mercury were recently reported in canned tuna sold in several European countries. See how these levels compare with those CL found popular tuna products sold in the U.S. in the Quality Concerns section our Canned and Packaged Fish Review.
Also see our Top Picks for tuna, salmon, sardines, and herring.
Clinical Update
1/09/2025
Another Salmon Gone
We recently learned that our Top Pick for canned, sockeye “red” salmon, is no longer available. See our current recommendation in the Top Picks section of our Canned Fish Review – which includes our picks for tuna, pink salmon, sardines, and herring. (We are currently testing more canned fish products, based on members’ suggestions, so stay tuned for results.)
Clinical Update
3/10/2021
More Fish, Less Death for Some
A recent analysis found that regular consumption of fish was associated with an 18% lower risk of death over a 9-year period. Get the details in the What It Does section of our Canned Fish Review. Also see our Top Picks among canned and packaged tuna, salmon and sardines.
Clinical Update
1/31/2023
Canned Fish & Cancer?
Is there a link between canned fish and cancer, as there is for some other processed meats? Find out in the Concerns and Cautions section of our Tuna, Salmon, Sardines & Herring Review. Also see our Top Picks for canned fish.
Clinical Update
2/07/2023
Smoked Fish & Cancer?
Can eating smoked or salted fish increase the risk of cancer? Find out in the Concerns and Cautions section of our Canned Tuna, Salmon, Sardines & Herring Review. Also see our Top Picks among products.
Clinical Update
3/04/2022
Less Mercury in Some Tuna?
Do pole & line or troll-caught tuna contain lower concentrations of mercury than traditional-catch tuna? Find out in the ConsumerTips section of our Tuna, Salmon & Sardines Review. Also see our Top Picks among tuna products.
Clinical Update
4/28/2023
Canned Fish Prices
We just updated the prices of products we've tested and found that prices of some (such as light tuna) are lower now. See the latest prices and our Top Picks for canned tuna, salmon, and sardines.
Clinical Update
1/09/2024
BPA & Phthalates in Canned Fish?
Plasticizers such as bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates can leach into food from packaging such as cans and foil pouches. How big of a problem is this in canned tuna and other packaged fish? See what tests by an independent group showed in the Quality Concerns section of our Tuna, Salmon, Sardines & Herring Review. Also see our Top Picks for canned tuna and other packaged fish.
Clinical Update
4/16/2024
PFAS Toxins in Seafood
A recent study raised concern about high levels of PFAS in certain seafoods. Get the details in our Canned Fish Review, which includes our Top Picks among canned and packaged tuna, salmon, sardines, and herring.
Clinical Update
8/05/2024
Best Tuna
Which canned tuna has the lowest amount of mercury? See our Top Pick in our Canned Fish Review, which includes our tests of canned tuna, salmon, sardines and herring.
Clinical Update
7/07/2021
Fish Oil for Migraine?
Can the risk of migraine headache be reduced by increasing intake of omega-3 oils from fish? Find out what a recent study showed in the Migraine Headache section of our Fish Oil Supplements Review. Also see our Top Picks among canned tuna, salmon and sardines.
CL Answer
Which supplements and foods help with gout and which may worsen it?
Find out about the effects on uric acid levels and gout of fish and fish oil, coffee, beer, animal meat, milk proteins, vegetable proteins, fructose, lemon juice, tart cherry juice, vitamin A, vitamin C, and niacin
CL Answer
Is it better to eat farmed salmon or wild salmon? Which one has more omega-3s and less contamination with PCBs, mercury, etc.?
Learn more about wild caught vs. farm raised salmon, including omega-3 content and contamination with PCBs, mercury, and other toxins.
CL Answer
Lovaza, a prescription omega-3 fish oil, is very expensive. Can I get the same omega-3 oils from a supplement that costs less?
Lovaza fish oil (prescription) vs. over the counter fish oil supplements. Understand the differences in cost and benefits before you buy.
CL Answer
Which foods and supplements contain lead, cadmium, or arsenic?
Discover which foods and dietary supplements contain lead and other metals, the limits, who’s testing, and how to stay safe.
CL Answer
Is it safe to consume fish oil as a long-term food supplement?
Learn more about fish oil supplement safety including long-term use, side effects, and more.
Recalls & Warnings
February 12, 2025
Trader Joe’s, Van Camp’s, H-E-B, and Genova Canned Tuna Recalled
On February 7, 2025, Tri-Union Seafoods recalled select canned tunas sold by Trader Joe’s, Van Camp’s, H-E-B, and Genova, due to a manufacturing defect that compromises the integrity of the “easy open” pull tab on the can.
Recalls & Warnings
April 03, 2023
Smoked Salmon Recalled Due to Listeria Risk
On March 14, 2023, Seven Seas International USA, LLC issued a voluntary recall of 295 cases of Biltmore Smoked Sockeye Salmon after routine testing by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services discovered the presence of Listeria monocytogenes or Salmonella.
CL Answer
How much calcium do you need each day, what forms are best, and how much is too much?
Learn about the recommended daily intake of calcium from food & supplements and why taking too much can be harmful. Also, learn about the forms of calcium that are available and which are best.
CL Answer
Which supplements, foods or diet and lifestyle changes help relieve acid reflux (heartburn), and which worsen it?
Find out which supplements and foods can help relieve acid reflux, and which can make it worse.
CL Answer
Do any supplements help with COVID-19? Do supplements like vitamin D, zinc, vitamin C, or herbals work?
Find out if natural remedies & supplements for coronavirus such as zinc, vitamin C, garlic, or elderberry help to prevent or treat COVID-19.
Recalls & Warnings
July 15, 2019
Mislabeled Green Tea Supplement Recalled
On July 11, 2019, DaVinci Laboratories of Vermont issued a recall of 256 bottles of the weight management supplement Dim Plex because they may undeclared fish allergens.
