A Vermont shopper bought her usual four-pack of StarKist tuna. However, she noticed something strange when she opened the last can.
In a video with over 21,000 views, TikToker Bluiiz (@bluiiz) stands by her kitchen sink with two open cans of StarKist Tuna in Water.
The first can she shows contains dark brown fish in an oily liquid.
“It’s supposed to be solid white tuna,” she laments, showing the second can, which contains bright white fish in a thinner, watery liquid.
Then she squeezes both tuna cans into the sink, using the lids to siphon out some of the liquid. The first can’s liquid is dark and oily, while the second’s is runny and watery.
“It’s confusing to me because it came out of a four-pack,” she says. “I’ve already eaten the other three cans.”
She notes that the first can smells like “cat food” and wonders if the tuna went bad or was simply mislabeled.
The potentially mislabeled tuna can went viral the same year other companies experience canning mishaps, such as Celsius mislabeling alcoholic drinks and Ocean Spray cranberry sauce cans filled with water during Thanksgiving.
Still, the situation unsettles the TikToker, who writes in the caption, “WTF! The Food industry is collapsing!”
How Can You Tell If Canned Tuna Went Bad?
Canned tuna in water or oil can last up to five years unopened on the shelf before it spoils, according to Tasting Table. However, there are a few signs shoppers should look for to ensure the fish is still safe to eat.
Before shoppers open a can, it shouldn’t appear bulging or dented, as that can indicate that it was improperly packaged or has been exposed to air or bacteria that can cause the fish to go bad.
If the tuna appears dull, or mushy, or has dark-colored lines through the flesh, it could be a sign that the meat is no longer safe to consume.
An acidic or putrid smell is also an indicator of spoiled fish. Safe tuna should smell strong but “fishy and meaty”—not rotten, Tasting Table notes.
Do Viewers Think The Tuna Is Mislabeled Or Rotten?
In the comments, viewers debated whether they believe the oddly colored tuna is actually rotten or mislabeled. While tuna in water typically appears white, tuna in oil can appear darker.
“Different parts of tuna are… different. Looks like this came from a side closer to the skin or bones. Notice one side of the meat has a color gradient,” one offered.
“It’s just mislabeled. That’s light tuna in oil. Same factory, labeling issue,” another suggested.
A third wrote, “I never buy albacore tuna. But sometimes you just get a bumper can of tuna. All fish have natural oils.”
The TikToker responded, “Maybe it’s mislabeled, but it’s definitely not ok!!!”
Others raised concerns about the tuna’s appearance, comparing it to pet food.
“Literally. My dog’s wet food looks more like meat than the food meant for humans,” a commenter said.
“I wouldn’t [feed] that to my cat,” a second remarked.
Another assured the TikToker that the situation may not be a sign of a greater issue with the food industry, sharing their own similar experience.
“I had the same experience, same company. My cans had less tuna and more water. All 4 cans. Shake and hear water,” they said. “Now, when i buy, I shake them. It gets funny looks. [StarKist] took care of me with coupons. Just a line error.”
BroBible reached out to Bluiiz via TikTok direct message and to StarKist via email for further comment.