How do I read the date code stamped or printed on the can?

“BEST If Used By” dates are printed on the can or outer packaging or our products. Please contact Customer Service if you need further assistance.

How long are canned seafood products edible?

Commercially canned food can be safely stored for several years as long as the can is not bulging, leaking or damaged. With prolonged storage, canned foods begin to become less palatable.

After opening, any uneaten product should be removed from the can, sealed in a container and immediately refrigerated. The product should be used within 2-3 days.

I think I found glass in my canned seafood! What is it?

These are struvite crystals that are formed by the natural, normal constituents of seafood after it is sterilized in the can. The crystals are no harder than ordinary table salt and can be easily scratched and crushed to a powder with the thumbnail. They will dissolve in a few minutes in warm vinegar, as they do in stomach acid.

What are GMO’s?

GMO stands for Genetically Modified Organism, an animal or plant that has been altered using genetic engineering.

Do your products contain GMO’s?

Crown Prince Natural products DO NOT contain GMO’s. Canned fish is not a manufactured product, but is wild harvested from the oceans of our planet. We pack our products in simple packing mediums with simple seasonings, none of which contain GMO’s. Our customers can be assured that Crown Prince Natural only offers the best that our oceans can provide – unadulterated by genetic modification. All Crown Prince Natural products are Non-GMO Project Verified.

The 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans issued by the FDA recommends consuming at least 8 ounces of seafood (less for young children) per week based on a 2,000-calorie diet. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding to consume between 8 and 12 ounces of a variety of seafood per week, from choices that are lower in mercury.

Fish are part of a healthy eating pattern and provide:

• Protein
• Healthy omega-3 fats (called DHA and EPA)
• More vitamin B12 and vitamin D than any other type of food
• Iron which is important for infants, young children, and women who are pregnant or who could become pregnant
• Other minerals like selenium, zinc, and iodine.

This chart from the FDA can help you choose which fish to eat, and how often to eat them, based on their mercury levels.

What is gluten?

Gluten is a protein commonly found in many types of grains (specifically wheat, barley, oats and rye).

Are your products gluten free?

Yes, all of our canned seafood products are gluten free and are not processed with any ingredients known to contain gluten. Please be advised that our packing facilities are not certified gluten free and cross-contamination could occur. As always, anyone with food allergies or sensitivities should carefully read all labels, especially products in sauces. On occasion, sauce formulations may change.

Is there MSG in your products?

No, our products do not contain MSG.

What is omega-3?

Omega-3 fatty acids are polyunsaturated essential fatty acids that are found predominantly in deep-sea saltwater fish. These fatty acids are found in higher amounts in cold-water fish. There is evidence of a number of health benefits from eating fish rich in these fatty acids.

What are trans fats or trans fatty acids?

Trans fats, or trans fatty acids are a type of fat formed when hydrogen is added to liquid oils under high heat to turn them into solid fats like shortening and stick margarine. These trans fats can increase the risk of heart disease by increasing the amount of LDL, or “bad” cholesterol, and lowering the amount of HDL, or “good” cholesterol in the bloodstream.

Are there any trans fats in your products?

No, our products do not contain trans fats.

Why are my oysters green?

The green color in oysters is actually not an abnormal color. During the harvesting season, the oysters are still growing and ingest a large amount of plankton while they are still lean. This makes the “green feeds” visible through their outer skin.

Why did I find shell fragments in my oysters?

Because there is no machine that can shuck these little oysters properly, the work is all done by hand. Then, before packing, the product is spread on large trays and inspected. We strive for 100% removal of shell fragments, but just as there is an occasional piece of gravel in a bag of beans or a cherry pit in a can of pie filling, it is possible that occasionally a shell will be found in any variety of canned shellfish. However, what you describe is definitely not Crown Prince Natural quality and we apologize for the inconvenience.

Are your oysters wild caught?

No, our oysters are considered farm raised since we seed the ropes, however they feed on plankton, which is a normal diet and are harvested in the ocean. Since they grow naturally in the ocean, they are not fed any antibiotics or growth hormones.

Crown Prince Natural Smoked Baby Clams in Olive Oil are imported from China.

I’m concerned about the safety of food products sourced from China. How can I be sure your products are safe to eat?

The health and safety of all our products, including those from China, has always been the highest priority for Crown Prince Natural. To that end, there are numerous safety precautions in place to ensure that the product, and the environment from which it comes, is safe. These include the following:

Crown Prince Natural products from China are harvested from the ocean, not ponds.

No antibiotics are used in the growing of Crown Prince Natural products from China.

Crown Prince Natural products from China are taken from ocean growing areas that are strictly controlled by the China Ocean Fishery Bureau. This bureau is responsible for seawater safety, performing periodic inspections, and issuing use permits for specific growing areas. Furthermore, when USFDA performed an inspection also testing the seawater, the results indicated that the seawater tested contained insignificant levels of pollution.

All Crown Prince Natural packers in China perform additional safety inspections of raw material. During the packing season, toxin testing is performed every two weeks. Additionally, raw material is tested for heavy metals every six months.

Crown Prince Natural products from China are produced only in factories personally visited and inspected by the President of Crown Prince. Additionally, a third party independent laboratory performs annual inspections at each factory in China. Crown Prince Natural approves every production code prior to shipment, and only factories with the highest level of quality are accepted.

Crown Prince Natural products from China are produced only in factories that have USFDA factory and product registrations, and are HACCP certified. These products are low acid canned foods and therefore subject to sterilization procedures. These sterilization procedures render any bacteria that may be present, harmless.

Be assured that we make every effort to maintain the highest quality and safety of all Crown Prince Natural products from China and around the globe.

Why do the pull-tabs always break from the lid?

If the tab is pulled before the score line is pierced, it will break off. Be sure to gently lift the ring and pop the seal by pushing the tab all the way forward until it touches the rim of the can.

What is the best way to open a ring pull can?

Place the can on a flat surface and hold firmly with one hand. Use caution in keeping your stabilizing hand away from all sharp edges while opening. Using the thumb of your other hand, lift the ring and push it all the way forward until the rim of the can stops the ring and the seal is broken. Put your index finger through the ring and place your thumb on top of the lid. While pulling on the ring, press down on the top of the lid with your thumb creating a rolling motion as the lid pulls away from the can. To break the last portion of the seal, gently rock the lid from side to side until it breaks free.

Why are there bones and skin in my can of salmon?

This is the traditional packing process for canned salmon that has been used for many years. The amount of bones and skin in canned salmon varies depending on the size of the fish. The high heat sterilization process softens them enough that they can be easily mashed and blended with the salmon. The skin and bones supply important nutrients.

Is your salmon wild caught or farm raised?

All of our salmon is wild caught from the Gulf of Alaska. We do not use farm-raised salmon.

Why are there scales on my sardines?

Pilchard sardines have larger scales that do not soften as much as the scales on smaller sardines. These scales protect the fish from outside elements and are proof of the best quality and freshness. If scales are removed from sardines, the skin will soften and the fish will fall apart. The scales are edible and are a good source of calcium.

Are your sardines real sardines or just small fish?

The FDA allows three types of fish to be called sardines: Brisling (sprats), ocean herring (kipper snacks) and pilchard. These three types of fish are cold-water fish and contain omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, calcium and iron.

Are any of your sardines farm raised?

No, all of our fish are wild caught.

Are your products sustainably sourced?

We are proud of our commitment to seek and source sustainably harvested fish certified by third parties. All countries from which we harvest fish have management programs in place to maintain a good harvest level; they want to have fish stocks for future generations just as we do. Learn more about our Sustainable Seafood & Certifications.

What is your Dolphin Safe Policy?

We sell three types of tuna: Albacore, Tongol and Yellowfin. Our suppliers strictly adhere to dolphin protection methods. Our tuna is certified dolphin safe by Earth Island Institute.

Albacore is caught by trolling, which poses no danger to dolphins. Tongol tuna is caught by purse seine net; however, dolphins do not swim with these schools.

Yellowfin tuna are pole and line caught “one by one” by local fishers in the Maldive Islands in the Indian Ocean. There is virtually no by-catch and no threat to dolphins.

Why is my solid white tuna not always white?

While albacore is classified as “white” tuna, there are common variations in color from can to can. The color of albacore can vary from nearly white to light pink, beige, tan or occasionally a slight gray tinge. All of these variations meet established color requirements.

Why did I find a bone in my tuna?

Although every effort is made to remove them, bones are occasionally present in canned tuna. The loins are trimmed entirely by hand and are inspected several times for the presence of any bones that may have been missed. On occasion, a bone is embedded in the loin and may be overlooked. After the fish is canned, the high heat sterilization process softens the bones to the point that they are harmless and crumble easily.

Is there mercury in canned tuna?

Mercury is a naturally occurring element in the earth’s crust, and therefore is also present in trace amounts in all living organisms.

How much mercury is in canned tuna?

In lab tests run between 2002 and 2004 by the FDA, the average level of mercury in canned light tuna is 0.12 ppm, and in albacore 0.35 ppm. The FDA has set as their action level 1 ppm of mercury. This level provides a wide margin of safety, as it is ten times the level at which the most sensitive people will experience health problems.

FDA and EPA have issued advice regarding eating fish. This advice can help women who are pregnant or may become pregnant – as well as breastfeeding mothers and parents and caregivers feeding children 2 years and older – make informed choices when it comes to fish that are nutritious and safe to eat.

This chart from the FDA can help you choose which fish to eat, and how often to eat them, based on their mercury levels.