Tetra Pak, Jealsa Launch First Carton for Shelf-Stable Tuna

Tetra Pak and Spanish seafood producer Jealsa have put the first carton-packaged shelf-stable tuna on shelves. The Tetra Recart format, launched in Sweden last month with retailer Axfood in a 200 ml Mini size, is now available to food producers and brands globally.

The timing targets Southeast Asia, where Indonesia supplies about 19% of global tuna and the Philippines operates as a major processing hub for export markets across Asia, Europe and North America. Together they create a natural proving ground for a packaging shift in a category that has relied on round metal cans for generations.

Tetra Recart is a paper-based alternative to steel cans and glass jars. The company claims it has the smallest carbon footprint in its category – 85% lower than steel cans and 83% lower than glass jars, based on lifecycle assessments. At scale, that works out to 21,000 tonnes less CO₂ per 1 million units. The package uses up to 71% FSC-certified paper from managed forests.

The format already handles spreads, flakes, shredded tuna and chunks, with plans to expand into other tuna preparations. Its rectangular shape stacks tightly on shelves and in warehouses, which Tetra Pak says improves shelf efficiency and simplifies e-commerce picking. The flat surfaces allow bolder branding than a round can.