Skip to main content
          Skip to FDA Search
          Skip to in this section menu
          Skip to footer links


U.S. flagAn official website of the United States government

					Here’s how you know
          			Dot gov**The .gov means it’s official.**Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you're on a federal government site.
							      SSL**The site is secure.** The **https://** ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely. 
			U.S. Food and Drug Administration
				
        Search
            Menu
							
						Search FDA
									
									Submit search 
		Featured
							Contact FDA
	                FDA Guidance Documents
	                Recalls, Market Withdrawals and Safety Alerts
	                Press Announcements
	                Warning Letters
	                Advisory Committees
	                En Español

					Products
            Food
							Drugs
							Medical Devices
							Radiation-Emitting Products
							Vaccines, Blood, and Biologics
							Animal and Veterinary
							Cosmetics
							Tobacco ProductsTopics
            About FDA
							Combination Products
							Regulatory Information
							Safety
							Emergency Preparedness
							International Programs
							News and Events
							Training and Continuing Education
							Inspections and Compliance
							Science and ResearchInformation For
            Consumers
	            Patients
	            Industry
	            Health Professionals
	            Federal, State and Local Officials 
 In this section:

                CFSAN Constituent Updates

CFSAN Constituent Updates Home
          Food
          News & Events from CFSAN
          CFSAN Constituent Updates
          FDA Issues Proposed Rule on Canned Tuna StandardsCFSAN Constituent Updates FDA Issues Proposed Rule on Canned Tuna Standards
  
  	
    Subscribe to Email Updates
    Share
    Post
    Linkedin

    Email
    PrintConstituent Update

August 24, 2023

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today issued a proposed rule to revise the standard of identity and standard of fill of container for canned tuna. If finalized, the proposed rule would, among other things:

Revise the weighing methods used to determine the standard fill of container;
	Allow the use of safe and suitable flavorings and spices as optional ingredients; and
	Clarify that the use of a packing medium is optionalThe proposed rule responds, in part, to a citizen petition submitted by Bumble Bee Foods, LLC, StarKist Co., and Tri Union Seafoods, LLC (dba Chicken of the Sea International).

Standards of identity and fill of container were established for canned tuna in 1957. Although the standards have been amended several times, certain requirements appear to be outdated.

Standards of identity set requirements related to the content and production of certain food products. The FDA aims to modernize food standards to maintain the basic nature and nutritional integrity of products while allowing industry flexibility for innovation to produce more healthful foods.

The FDA began establishing standards of identity around 1938 to promote honesty and fair dealing in the interest of consumers, and since this time, has established more than 250 standards for a wide variety of food products.

**To Submit Comments:**

Comments on the proposed rule should be submitted within 90 days after publication in the Federal Register. You may submit electronic comments to https://www.regulations.gov/ to docket number FDA-2016-P-0147.

All written comments should be identified with the docket number FDA-2016-P-0147 and with the title “Fish and Shellfish; Canned Tuna Standard of Identity and Standard of Fill of Container.”

**Additional Information**

Proposed Rule: Fish and Shellfish; Canned Tuna Standard of Identity and Standard of Fill of Container
	Food Labeling & Nutrition
	Standards of Identity for Food

                                                                                  Content current as of:
      08/24/2023
              
              
Regulated Product(s)
		 Food & BeveragesCFSAN Constituent Updates
 Subscribe to CFSAN Constituent Updates
                        Get email updates delivered to your inbox.
    Enter your email address to subscribe:
 Footer Links
    FDA Archive
          About FDA
          Accessibility
      Visitor Information
          Website Policies / Privacy
          No FEAR Act
          Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
      FOIA
          HHS.gov
          USA.gov
    Contact FDA
      Follow FDA on Facebook
      Follow FDA on X
      Follow FDA on Instagram
      Follow FDA on LinkedIn
      View FDA videos on YouTube
      Subscribe to FDA RSS feeds
    FDA Homepage
    Contact Number
      1-888-INFO-FDA (1-888-463-6332) Back toTop