Is Subway Tuna Real? What the Tests and Lawsuit Found
Yes, Subway tuna is real tuna. Subway says it uses 100% wild caught tuna, mixed with mayonnaise. A famous lawsuit claimed the tuna was fake, but it was dropped for good in 2023.
The story got confusing because of DNA tests that seemed to disagree. Here is what really happened, in plain words.
What is in Subway tuna?
Subway’s tuna filling is made of two simple things: flaked tuna and mayonnaise. The tuna is cooked and packed before it reaches the stores, just like the canned tuna you buy at a grocery store. Workers mix it with mayo in the restaurant.
Why did people think Subway tuna was fake?
In early 2021, two customers in California sued Subway. They first claimed the tuna had “no tuna at all.” Later they changed the claim and said it might not be the kind of tuna Subway said it was.
Then The New York Times sent samples to a lab. The lab found “no amplifiable tuna DNA.” Many people read that as “it is not tuna.” But the lab also said the fish might just be too processed to identify.
What did the other tests find?
The TV show Inside Edition sent three Subway tuna samples to a different lab. All three tested positive for tuna. That is why the results looked like they disagreed.
| Test | Result |
|---|---|
| New York Times lab test (2021) | No usable tuna DNA found |
| Inside Edition lab test (2021) | All three samples were tuna |
| What Subway said | Cooking breaks down DNA, so tests can miss it |
Why can DNA tests miss cooked tuna?
Tuna is cooked at a high heat before it is packed. Heat breaks DNA into tiny pieces. Once that happens, a lab may not be able to read enough DNA to say what kind of fish it is. The same is true for most canned tuna on store shelves. So a test that finds no DNA does not prove the fish is fake.
How did the Subway tuna lawsuit end?
- 2021: A federal judge dismissed the first version of the case, but let the plaintiffs try again.
- 2023: The last plaintiff asked to drop the case. In July 2023, the judge dismissed it with prejudice, which means it cannot be filed again.
- After that: Subway asked the court to make the plaintiffs’ lawyers pay its legal bill of more than $600,000.
No court ever found that Subway’s tuna was fake.
How much is a Subway tuna sub?
A 6-inch tuna sub costs about $6.59 to $6.79, and a footlong costs about $9.89 to $11.19, depending on the store. A footlong tuna sub has about 1,120 calories, mostly from the mayo. A tuna salad is about $8.79 and has about 400 calories.
If you want fewer calories, try a 6-inch, add lots of veggies and skip extra sauce. See every sub on our Subway menu with prices, or check Subway breakfast hours.
Who owns Subway now?
Subway was started in 1965 in Bridgeport, Connecticut, by Fred DeLuca and Peter Buck. In 2024, the investment firm Roark Capital bought the company. Subway has around 37,000 restaurants worldwide.
Looking for another sub shop? Compare the Jersey Mike’s menu, the Jimmy John’s menu and the Firehouse Subs menu.
Frequently asked questions
Is Subway tuna real?
Yes. Subway says its tuna is 100% wild caught tuna mixed with mayonnaise. A lawsuit claiming it was fake was dismissed for good in 2023.
Why did a test say Subway tuna had no tuna DNA?
Cooked tuna has broken down DNA, so some lab tests cannot identify it. A different lab test for Inside Edition found tuna in all three samples.
What happened to the Subway tuna lawsuit?
It was dismissed with prejudice in July 2023 after the last plaintiff asked to drop it, so it cannot be filed again.
What is in Subway tuna?
Subway tuna is flaked, cooked tuna mixed with mayonnaise.
How much is a Subway tuna footlong?
A footlong tuna sub costs about $9.89 to $11.19, depending on the location. A 6-inch is about $6.59 to $6.79.
How many calories are in a Subway tuna sub?
A footlong tuna sub has about 1,120 calories, mostly from the mayo in the tuna salad.
Prices are typical U.S. prices before tax and can vary by location. Menus Info is not affiliated with any restaurant mentioned. See how we check prices.
