Can You Eat Tinned Tuna When Breastfeeding?
Written by Jordan Morley · Reviewed against NHS: food and drinks to avoid when breastfeeding · Last updated 28 October 2026
Yes. Both NHS pages are consistent for tinned tuna: the fish page says there is no limit on tuna while breastfeeding and that canned tuna is not oily fish, and the breastfeeding page names only fresh tuna as oily.
What the guidance says
The NHS fish and shellfish page (reviewed 26 June 2026) says there is no limit on tuna while breastfeeding and that 'Fresh and canned tuna do not count as oily fish'. The NHS breastfeeding food page lists only 'fresh tuna' among its examples of oily fish, so tinned tuna is outside the 2-portion cap on both pages. The pregnancy limits on tinned tuna (a number of cans a week) were about mercury and the unborn baby. Vary the fish you eat across the week.
You can also check the calorie content of tinned tuna alongside its safety information.
Tinned tuna sits outside the NHS conflict
Two NHS pages disagree about fresh tuna (one says it is oily fish, one says it is not), but they agree about tins. The NHS fish page (reviewed 26 June 2026) says there is no limit on tuna while breastfeeding and that canned tuna does not count as oily fish. The NHS breastfeeding page (modified 28 January 2026) names only 'fresh tuna' in its list of oily fish.
| Question | Answer from the NHS pages | Page |
|---|---|---|
| Is there a weekly tin limit while breastfeeding? | No: 'there is no limit on how much tuna you can eat' | Fish and shellfish |
| Does a tin use up an oily fish portion? | No: canned tuna is not oily fish; the other page lists only fresh tuna | Both |
| Is the pregnancy limit of 4 cans a week still in force? | No: it applies to pregnancy or trying for a baby | Fish and shellfish |
| Is any tinned fish capped? | Yes: tinned salmon, sardines, mackerel and pilchards are oily fish, so they share the 2-portion cap | Breastfeeding food page |
Our reading. Spread your fish choices anyway: the NHS recommends about 2 portions of fish a week, and a diet of only tuna sandwiches is not what either page describes.
Reading the tin
- Tuna in oil, brine or spring water is all tinned tuna as far as the NHS pages go. They do not split it by liquid.
- Tuna with salmon or sardines in the same pack is partly oily fish, so count the oily part against your 2 portions.
- Ready-made tuna mayonnaise sandwiches are chilled food: keep to the use-by date. Our opened tinned tuna storage page covers the fridge life of an opened tin.
- Australia's regulator (FSANZ, December 2020) also says canned tuna is safe for everyone including pregnant women, which fits the NHS no-limit wording.
Fresh tuna steak?
Go to the main page, tuna when breastfeeding, for the full table of where the two NHS pages differ and why we suggest counting a fresh steak as one oily portion.
Sources checked
Everything in the sections above was checked against these pages on 28 October 2026.
- NHS: Fish and shellfish (page last reviewed 26 June 2026) — breastfeeding: no limit on tuna; canned tuna not oily fish
- NHS: Food and drinks to avoid when breastfeeding (published 21 July 2023, modified 28 January 2026) — oily fish list names fresh tuna only
- Food Standards Australia New Zealand: Mercury in fish brochure (December 2020) — canned tuna safe for everyone
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More for the feeding months
Tinned Tuna: the other answers on this site
| Question | Short answer (links to the full page) |
|---|---|
| In pregnancy | Limit — 4 cans a week |
| In the fridge (Tinned Tuna (Opened)) | 3–4 days in the fridge; 2–5 years in the cupboard |
Common questions
Is tinned tuna safe while breastfeeding?
Yes. Both NHS pages are consistent for tinned tuna: the fish page says there is no limit on tuna while breastfeeding and that canned tuna is not oily fish, and the breastfeeding page names only fresh tuna as oily.
Can I eat as much tinned tuna as I like?
The NHS fish page says there is no limit on how much tuna you can eat while breastfeeding. A varied diet is the sensible approach, and fish in general is encouraged: about 2 portions a week.
Is fresh tuna different?
Possibly. The NHS fish page says fresh and canned tuna are both not oily fish, but the NHS breastfeeding page lists fresh tuna as oily fish. See our <a href='/can-you-eat-tuna-when-breastfeeding/'>tuna page</a> for the full comparison.
Was this different during pregnancy?
In pregnancy our verdict was “limit — 4 cans a week” (see our pregnancy guide for the reasons).
What should I avoid while breastfeeding?
The NHS list is short. Caffeine: try not to have more than 300mg a day (a mug of filter coffee is about 140mg, instant 100mg, tea 75mg). Alcohol: it is safer not to drink, but 1 or 2 units once or twice a week should be fine. Oily fish: no more than 2 portions a week. Shark, swordfish and marlin: no more than 1 portion a week. Peanuts are fine unless you're allergic. Most other foods that were off the menu in pregnancy, such as soft cheese, pâté, cured meat and runny eggs, are not restricted.
Does tinned tuna count as oily fish for breastfeeding?
Not on either NHS page. The fish page says canned tuna is not oily fish, and the breastfeeding page names only fresh tuna in its oily fish list.
Related answers
Primary source: NHS: food and drinks to avoid when breastfeeding.
General information only, not medical advice: see the medical disclaimer. Feeling unwell after eating something? Contact NHS 111 or your GP.