Is StarKist Chunk Light Tuna in Water Safe During Pregnancy? (Updated 2026 Guide)
Updated September 9, 2026
StarKist Chunk Light Tuna in Water
Starkist
Yes StarKist Chunk Light Tuna in Water can fit into your pregnancy diet in moderation and receives an A for its ingredient based assessment, with no flagged ingredients. Canned light tuna is an FDA/EPA lower mercury “Best Choice,” but the grade does not mean unlimited intake or certify the mercury level in your can. FDA/EPA
Go ahead and use it. Nothing to worry about here.
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What Ingredients Are in StarKist Chunk Light Tuna in Water?
StarKist Chunk Light Tuna in Water has 4 ingredients. All 4 ingredients are considered safe for pregnancy.
salt
SAFE
Salt is a mineral essential for flavor enhancement and preserving food. Salt is compatible with pregnancy in normal dietary amounts, while excessive intake or severe restriction may be inappropriate for your medical needs.
water
SAFE
Water is a clear, tasteless, and essential liquid that sustains all known forms of life. Water consumed in food is compatible with pregnancy when it comes from a safe, treated source.
light tuna
SAFE
Light tuna is a mild flavored, lean fish commonly used in salads, sandwiches, and casseroles. Light tuna is unflagged in this ingredient assessment, but that does not establish a pregnancy specific portion limit or the mercury level in your can.
vegetable broth
SAFE
Vegetable broth is a flavorful, savory liquid made by simmering a variety of vegetables and herbs, used as a base for soups, stews, and other dishes. Vegetable broth is unflagged here, but this does not establish a separate pregnancy safety review of its components.
Answering Your Questions
How much StarKist Chunk Light Tuna in Water is safe during pregnancy?
Portion the tuna into a sandwich, salad, or meal rather than treating the can size as a pregnancy serving recommendation. Count the amount you eat toward your total weekly seafood intake, including other fish.
Can you use StarKist Chunk Light Tuna in Water daily while pregnant?
Rotate this tuna with other lower mercury fish rather than making tuna your daily default. Plan your portions and frequency using the pregnancy fish guidance, which applies to your combined fish intake. FDA/EPA
Why did this tuna receive an A grade?
Its A comes from simple ingredient based scoring, with no ingredients flagged for caution or avoidance. Salt and water have normal use safety assessments; light tuna and vegetable broth are unflagged, which is not the same as individually reviewed safe. The grade is not a mercury test.
Can I eat this tuna while breastfeeding?
Yes, canned light tuna is included among the FDA/EPA “Best Choices” for breastfeeding as well as pregnancy. Keep portions within the fish guidance and vary the fish you eat. FDA/EPA
What alternatives can I choose during pregnancy?
Canned salmon or sardines offer variety and are also FDA/EPA lower mercury “Best Choices.” Choose products that suit your dietary needs, and compare sodium labels if that matters for your care plan. FDA/EPA
Is chunk light tuna the same as albacore tuna?
No. FDA/EPA places canned light tuna in “Best Choices” and albacore or white tuna in “Good Choices,” which has more restrictive frequency guidance. Check the tuna type on the label rather than assuming all canned tuna is interchangeable. FDA/EPA
What brand of tuna is safest during pregnancy?
You cannot identify the safest tuna from the brand name alone. Choose by tuna type and follow mercury based portion guidance; this product’s A grade does not establish that StarKist has less mercury than competing brands.
Should I worry about the added salt?
Salt in normal dietary amounts is compatible with pregnancy. Check the sodium label in the context of your whole diet, and follow individualized advice if you have hypertension, kidney disease, or another condition affecting sodium needs.
What Are Pregnancy Safe Alternatives to StarKist Chunk Light Tuna in Water?
Here are some solid alternatives. Everything below has an A or B grade, meaning no flagged ingredients in our database.
| Grade | Product | Brand | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | Chunk Light Tuna | Starkist | canned fish |
| A | Tuna In Spring Water | Aldi | canned fish |
| A | Chunk Light Tuna In Water | Northern Catch | canned fish |
| A | Chicken Of The Sea Chunk Light Tuna 7 Oz | Chicken Of The Sea | canned fish |
Are Other Starkist Products Safe During Pregnancy?
We looked at 10 other Starkist products. 7 are pregnancy safe (A or B grade), while 3 need a closer look.
| Grade | Product | Type |
|---|---|---|
| A | Alaskan Pink Salmon, Reduced Sodium | canned fish |
| A | Chunk Light Tuna | canned fish |
| A | Chunk Light Tuna In Vegetable Oil | canned fish |
| A | Chunk Light Tuna In Water | canned fish |
How Does StarKist Chunk Light Tuna in Water Compare to Other Canned Fishes?
We graded 1,904 Canned Fishes for pregnancy safety. Here's how they stack up:
StarKist Chunk Light Tuna in Water earns a A grade, placing it among the majority of Canned Fishes. Good news: most options in this category (86%) are pregnancy safe, so you've got plenty to choose from.
How Do We Score Products for Pregnancy Safety?
We analyze each product's ingredients and category to flag known risks and provide cautionary notices for general category safety concerns.
A - Safe
Excellent choice! All ingredients are considered safe during pregnancy.
What to do: Use with confidence.
B - Likely Safe
Pretty much safe with very minimal risk. Some ingredients may have limited pregnancy studies, but no significant safety concerns have been identified.
What to do: Use with confidence.
C - Limit
Contains ingredients with some pregnancy considerations. Research shows these ingredients may have limited safety data, potential for minor hormonal effects, or require caution based on animal studies.
What to do: Use sparingly and consider safer alternatives when available.
D - Caution
Similar to C grade but contains multiple cautionary ingredients. The combination increases overall concern.
What to do: Try to avoid if that makes you feel better. If you've already used it, no need to panic.
F - Avoid
Contains an ingredient Pregnancy Safe recommends avoiding during pregnancy. This may reflect an established risk or a precaution based on limited evidence; check the ingredient guidance and exposure context.
What to do: Do not use during pregnancy. If you've already used it, don't worry - contact your OBGYN if concerned.
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References
- https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/healthy-eating-during-pregnancy
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11270530/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6946899/
- https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241504836
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK610895/
- https://www.acog.org/womens-health/experts-and-stories/ask-acog/how-much-water-should-i-drink-during-pregnancy
- https://www.cdc.gov/healthy-weight-growth/water-healthy-drinks/index.html
- https://www.cdc.gov/heat-health/hcp/clinical-overview/heat-and-pregnant-women.html
- https://www.cdc.gov/drinking-water/about/index.html
- https://www.cdc.gov/yellow-book/hcp/family-travel/pregnant-travelers.html
- https://www.epa.gov/privatewells/protect-your-homes-water
- https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/bottled-water-everywhere-keeping-it-safe
- https://www.nationalacademies.org/read/10925/chapter/6