Food & Beverage

Subway calls fake tuna suit a big fish story

Photo: iStock

January 29, 2021

Subway is refuting claims made in a recently filed federal lawsuit that the tuna it uses is not tuna and might not even be fish. The suit — filed in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, alleges Subway misrepresented that tuna was used as an ingredient in some of the food it serves, according to the suit which the Washington Post was among the first to report.

"On the contrary, the products are made from a mixture of various concoctions that do not constitute tuna, yet have been blended together by defendants to imitate the appearance of tuna," said the suit, filed by California residents Karen Dhanowa and Nilima Amin, according to CBS News.

On its website, Subway states that it uses "flaked tuna" with mayo in its tuna sandwiches. The suit did not detail what the plaintiffs feel Subway actually uses in place of tuna.

Upon breaking of the news of the suit, Subway fired back that the claims are baseless and that it uses "100% wild-caught tuna."

In response to the lawsuit's claims, the Milford, Connecticut-based sandwich chain released the following statement:

"There simply is no truth to the allegations in the complaint that was filed in California. Subway delivers 100% cooked tuna to its restaurants, which is mixed with mayonnaise and used in freshly made sandwiches, wraps and salads that are served to and enjoyed by our guests.

"The taste and quality of our tuna make it one of Subway's most popular products and these baseless accusations threaten to damage our franchisees, small business owners who work tirelessly to uphold the high standards that Subway sets for all of its products, including its tuna. Given the facts, the lawsuit constitutes a reckless and improper attack on Subway's brand and goodwill. …"

Subway said the suit was "part of a trend" targeting the food industry. The chain pledged to "vigorously defend itself" in the case against the claims made, and any others that follow the same trend.