Frequently Asked Questions

Brunswick products are sold at most major grocery stores in Canada. They can be found in the canned seafood section. If you require assistance, please contact us and we will be happy to help you locate a retailer in your province.

A sardine, as recognized worldwide under international Codex standards, is any one of several species of small, saltwater fish in the herring family that are cooked and canned in a special way. The North Atlantic herring (canned in Brunswick products) is a small saltwater fish that is also known by its scientific name, Clupea harengus. These fish travel in huge schools and live in the cold waters of the open ocean ranging from Greenland to North Carolina.

1. Place the can on a flat surface such as a table or countertop.
2. Hold the can firmly at one end with one hand and with the ring accessible at the other end.
3. With your other hand, lift the ring until it touches the rim of the can to break the score. Make sure you bring the ring back to touch the rim.
4. Pull the ring up and back at approximately a 45-degree angle until the lid is nearly removed from the can. Be careful to avoid the sharp edges of the lid.
5. To completely remove the lid and avoid any splattering, gently move the lid back and forth until it snaps off the can.

Brunswick Sardines and Sardine Fillets Seafood Snacks are shelf stable and do not need to be refrigerated unless they are opened. Once cans are opened, any unused contents may be immediately placed in a sealed container, stored in the refrigerator, and utilized within one to two days. Opened cans can also be frozen in sealed plastic bags or other containers suitable for freezing. It is not considered advisable to freeze unopened cans. To maximize shelf life, unopened cans should be stored in a cool, dry place.

No, you do not need to cook BRUNSWICK canned seafood products. We’ve already done the cooking for you. Our canned seafood products are conveniently ready-to-eat. Our products can also be used as ingredients in dishes that do require further cooking.

Brunswick products are printed with a Best Before date for recommended best quality use. Our canned products may be safely stored for several years in a cool, dry place, as long as the cans are not bulged, leaking, or otherwise damaged, and the seams around the lid are intact. (If these conditions are present, the product should not be consumed.) Palatability (taste) may be affected over prolonged time periods, especially under adverse storage conditions such as high temperature. It is recommended, therefore, that canned sardine inventories be rotated every one to two years to assure the best quality.

Brunswick Sardines and Sardine Fillets Seafood Snacks contain a powerhouse of nutrients including omega-3s, calcium, protein, iron, vitamin D and selenium. Please see the next question for more information.

Omega-3s are a polyunsaturated essential fatty acid required to maintain good health. They are one of the “good fats”. Eating foods that contain omega-3s, like sardines, has been linked to reducing the risk factors for several major diseases.

Doctors have long recognized that the omega-3 fatty acids in fish appear to reduce the risk of heart disease, as well as playing a crucial role in brain development and normal functioning. Apart from these, the EPA and DHA found in fish and seafood may offer many other important health benefits, including:

• aiding in fetal development and infant brain, eye, and nervous system development
• boosting the body’s immunity.

Yes, all Brunswick Sardines and Sardine Fillets Seafood Snacks are certified Kosher under the Orthodox Union. The encircled U that appears on the packaging indicates Kosher certification.

All Brunswick Sardines and Sardine Fillets Seafood Snacks contain no preservatives and are gluten-free.

The modified food starch found in some of the sauces is derived from corn. We’ve updated the packaging and all references to modified food starch have been changed to modified cornstarch so that people with gluten allergies will know that these products can be safely included in their diets.

For more ingredient information on Brunswick products, please see our Products section.

Brunswick Sardines and Sardine Fillets Seafood Snacks do not contain MSG (monosodium glutamate). For more ingredient information on Brunswick products, please see our Products section.

Mercury is a naturally occurring element, common in the environment, and may be present in small concentrations in plants, land and marine animals. The maximum limit of 0.5 ppm is set for fish by Health Canada and enforced by CFIA.

Clover Leaf Seafoods Corp. regularly monitors mercury levels in canned seafood and they have never exceeded the limit set by Health Canada.

Health Canada has identified certain fish (fresh or frozen tuna, shark, swordfish, marlin, orange roughy and escolar) as being of more concern when it comes to mercury. Light tuna, such as skipjack and yellowfin tuna, are generally younger and smaller and are relatively low in mercury compared to fresh or frozen tuna. Because mercury has a cumulative effect as it moves up the food chain, small fish (like sardines and herring) have the lowest concentration levels, while larger fish (like shark and swordfish) can be a concern to consumers.

Canned Brunswick Sardines and Sardine Fillets Seafood Snacks are one of the most popular types of fish for Canadians. They are an excellent source of high-quality protein, omega-3 and vitamin D, making them a healthy food choice. We hope we have answered your questions fully and that you will continue to enjoy our BRUNSWICK® products.

100% of Brunswick packaging has been converted from BPA liners to an alternative BPA-free polymer. The new lining material varies depending on the acidity of ingredients and processing methods and has been fully tested for safety.