Get All Access for $5/mo

Lawsuit Over Subway Tuna Now Alleges the Meat Contains Chicken, Pork and Cattle DNA The plaintiffs seek unspecified damages for fraud and violations of California consumer-protection laws.

By Amanda Breen

Justin Sullivan | Getty Images

According to a new version of a lawsuit that claims Subway has misrepresented its tuna products to customers, lab testing reveals that the franchise's "100% tuna" actually contains animal proteins including chicken, pork and cattle DNA.

A marine biologist tested 20 tuna samples taken from 20 Subway restaurants in southern California, finding that 19 samples had "no detectable tuna DNA sequences." All 20 contained detectable chicken DNA, 11 contained pork DNA and seven contained cattle DNA.

The plaintiffs seek unspecified damages for fraud and violations of California consumer-protection laws.

The class-action lawsuit was initally filed in California in January of this year, with plaintiffs Karen Dhanowa and Nilima Amin claiming that fast-food giant's tuna product is an "entirely non-tuna based mixture that Defendants blended to resemble tuna and imitate its texture."

Subway has denied the allegations and seeks to dismiss the lawsuit. The company even launched a website to debunk "the reckless complaint that spurred this misinformation."

Related: Subway Has a Track Record of Handling Its Business Crises Poorly. Here's What You Can Learn From the Chain's Shortcomings.

The site states that although The New York Times reported that Subway's tuna wasn't actually tuna after a commissioned test found no tuna DNA in the sample, scientific experts say that can happen when testing cooked tuna and doesn't necessarily mean the fish isn't present.

While the first complaint alleged that Subway tuna salads, sandwiches and wraps were "bereft" of tuna, an amended one claimed that the company didn't use 100% sustainably caught skipjack and yellowfin tuna in the product.

But Subway continues to stand by its "100% tuna" claim. "The truth is, Subway uses wild-caught skipjack tuna regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)," the company's site reads. "A favorite among sub lovers, our tuna is and has always been high-quality, premium and 100% real."

The second version of the complaint was dismissed last month; U.S. District Judge Jon Tigar said that the plaintiffs did not show they bought Subway tuna based on alleged misrepresentations.

Related: Subway Is Overhauling Its Entire Menu

The plaintiffs will have another opportunity to present their case.

Amanda Breen

Entrepreneur Staff

Senior Features Writer

Amanda Breen is a senior features writer at Entrepreneur.com. She is a graduate of Barnard College and received an MFA in writing at Columbia University, where she was a news fellow for the School of the Arts.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Editor's Pick

Leadership

7 Telltale Signs of a Weak Leader

Whether a bully or a people pleaser who can't tell hard truths, poor leadership takes many forms.

Science & Technology

5 Rule-Bending AI Hacks to Make Your Mornings More Productive and Profitable

By 2025, AI will transform productivity by streamlining workflows and cutting costs. Major companies like Microsoft, Google, and OpenAI are leading the way, advancing AI into "Phase 3," where tools act as digital assistants. Discover 5 AI hacks to boost efficiency and redefine your daily routine.

Side Hustle

'Hustling Every Day': These Friends Started a Side Hustle With $2,500 Each — It 'Snowballed' to Over $500,000 and Became a Multimillion-Dollar Brand

Paris Emily Nicholson and Saskia Teje Jenkins had a 2020 brainstorm session that led to a lucrative business.

Marketing

5 Critical Mistakes to Avoid When Giving a Presentation

Are you tired of enduring dull presentations? Over the years, I have compiled a list of common presentation mistakes and how to avoid them. Here are my top five tips.

Business Ideas

63 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2024

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2024.