Is Tuna kosher?

About Tuna

Tuna refers to several species in the genus Thunnus and close relatives, all in the mackerel family Scombridae. Common tuna on the U.S. market includes albacore, yellowfin, bluefin, bigeye, and skipjack. Per NOAA Fisheries, yellowfin tuna is distinguishable by its long bright-yellow dorsal fin and a yellow stripe along its side. Yellowfin grow to about 6 feet and 400 pounds with a relatively short lifespan of 6 to 7 years. Tuna reach sexual maturity at about age 2 and spawn year-round in tropical waters, with peak spawning in spring and fall; females can spawn almost daily, releasing millions of eggs each time. Adult tuna feed near the top of the food chain on fish, squid, and crustaceans. NOAA's 2024 stock assessment classifies Atlantic yellowfin tuna as not overfished and not subject to overfishing; the Eastern Pacific stock is similarly classified. Tuna is kosher under Jewish dietary law. Chabad.org states: "all fish with fins and scales are kosher, and the fish commercially sold as tuna fits into this category and may therefore be served in a Jewish home." Although tuna typically has very few scales, the most common commercial species is kosher. Chabad notes a caveat: several species go by the name tuna and not all are kosher — for edge cases, a rabbinical authority can verify the specific species. Aish HaTorah lists tuna explicitly among its kosher fish examples. All canned, smoked, pickled, or otherwise processed tuna should carry certification from a reliable kosher agency. Processing equipment may have previously handled non-kosher fish, and additives, flavorings, and broths may require oversight. In Hebrew: טונה (tuna, transliteration). For a kosher preparation, see Chabad.org's Seared Tuna with Avocado Puree and Charred Corn Salsa recipe.