The Great Tuna Debate: Subway Cites Scientific Experts For Proof Its '100% Real'

Subway is pushing back against claims that the tuna used in its sandwiches isn’t real by launching a website that it says offers proof from scientific experts that it is “100% real.”

The website, subwaytunafacts.com, takes on a report published by the New York Times that claimed that Subway’s sandwich did not contain tuna in a DNA test that it commissioned of a sample.

Subway contended the story is a myth, saying on the website, “ What actually happened is that the New York Times commissioned a test that couldn’t detect tuna DNA in their sample. According to scientific experts, this is not unusual when testing cooked tuna and it absolutely doesn’t mean the sample that was tested contained zero tuna. ”

The website also cites USA Today, which conducted an independent fact check of the New York Times conclusion, finding “it lacked important context about the limitations of DNA testing of denatured proteins.”

In an interview with CNN, Subway CEO John Chidsey clarified the tuna confusion, saying the sandwich contains 100% real tuna.

“I say follow the science, and if you follow the science, once tuna is cooked, its DNA becomes denatured, which means when you go to test it, you can't tell one way or the other. We have a website out there called subwaytunafacts.com. It will take you through all the science. You can see every bit of the story there, and I think that will obviously put the facts out there and clarify all these misconceptions.

He added, “People love our tuna. We're very proud of our tuna, so I think that's really the end of the story.”

The claims against Subway’s tuna not started with a lawsuit in California, which has since modified its claims to say that the chain is serving 100% wild-caught skipjack and yellowfin tuna.

Subways said the lawsuit, “constitutes a reckless and improper attack on Subway’s brand and goodwill, and on the livelihood of its franchisees.”