Read canned tuna labels by separate fields: white is a color designation limited to albacore, light is a color designation rather than a species name, and words such as solid, chunk and flake describe the pack form. Then compare the packing medium, ingredients, serving size and Nutrition Facts on the exact can. FDA fish advice assigns species-specific categories for certain audiences, so use that chart within its stated scope.
Choose canned tuna by the species or color designation, the texture you want and the packing medium. These label fields answer different questions, so do not use a word such as light or chunk as a shortcut for every other detail.
Compare the label fields
| Label field | What it tells you | Buyer check |
|---|---|---|
| White | A color designation limited by the U.S. standard to albacore. | Choose it when you specifically want the white/albacore category. |
| Light | A color designation, not a single tuna species. | Read the exact product name and ingredients to see what species the product identifies. |
| Solid or solid pack | Loins packed as transverse segments, with limited free flakes under the standard. | Consider it when you want larger intact pieces. |
| Chunk | Pieces that retain the tuna’s muscle structure; piece sizes can vary. | Compare the texture and serving form you want. |
| Flake or grated | Smaller separated pieces or particles, with definitions in the standard. | Choose for recipes that call for a more broken-up texture. |
| Water or oil | The packing medium and ingredients in the can. | Check the ingredient list, serving size and Nutrition Facts on the exact product. |
The U.S. standard separates the fish species, color designation, pack form and packing medium. “White” may identify albacore, but “light” does not identify a single species. Solid, chunk, flake and grated are pack forms rather than species names.
Use the FDA fish chart within its scope
The FDA/EPA fish advice is written for people who might become pregnant, are pregnant or breastfeeding, and children ages 1 through 11. In that chart, canned light tuna, including skipjack, is a Best Choice; canned albacore/white tuna and yellowfin tuna are Good Choices. Follow the current FDA fish advice for the serving guidance and the audiences it covers.
Check the rest of the can
Compare the net amount, packing medium, ingredients and Nutrition Facts using the same serving basis. Canned products can differ in added ingredients and label values, so do not assume two cans match because both say tuna. Our Nutrition Facts label guide explains serving size and percent Daily Value. For other pantry comparisons, see rice types and canned tomato forms. Browse the pantry category.
Official references
Checked November 5, 2026.
Common questions
Is white tuna the same as albacore?
Under the U.S. canned-tuna standard, the white color designation is limited to albacore.
Does light tuna name one species?
No. Light is a color designation, not the name of one tuna species. Check the product name and ingredient information for the exact can.
What is the difference between chunk and solid tuna?
They describe pack form. Solid pack uses loin segments, while chunk contains pieces that retain the tuna’s muscle structure.