1. Are Lucky Star Pilchards/Sardines caught in the wild or farmed?

Caught in the wild.

  1. Do Lucky Star products contain any GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms)?

None of Lucky Star’s products contain GMOs.

  1. Can I eat Lucky Star products if I suffer from blood pressure problems, diabetes etc.?

Most Lucky Star products are enclosed by the Heart & Stroke Foundation and the Diabetes South Africa. However consumers should consult a medical practitioner for advice when in doubt.

  1. Can Lucky Star products be eaten after they’ve passed their best before date (BB date)?

Technically the product should still be safe to consume but it is not recommended. The BB date is set for safety and product quality purposes. It is important to note that the BB Date is not an expiry date.

  1. Do you add oil to Lucky Star Pilchards in Tomato/Chilli sauce?

No oil is added to these products. The amount of oil visible in the can depends on the amount of oil in the fish at the time of canning. This is natural fish oil and is a good source of omega 3.

  1. If there is no code or best before date on the can, how do I know that the product is still safe to consume?

Without this information there is no way of telling how old the product is and whether it is safe for consumption. Removal of the code is a fraudulent activity and is against the law. All Lucky Star products are legibly and permanently coded, as this is the legal requirement. Should you, the consumer, be in possession of a canned fish product bearing the Lucky Star label that depicts no code or best date, you should report this immediately to Lucky Star through the contact details on the label.

  1. Where can I buy tuna that is produced in South Africa?

There are no canned tuna produced in South Africa for purchase by consumers.

  1. The fish is green inside

The green contents that might be seen in the can is feed in the stomach of the fish that is not fully digested. On the odd occasion, some of the stomach content of the fish is not fully removed during the cleaning process. Such green contents are by no means a health risk, but Lucky Star would concur that this would not be aesthetically appealing.

  1. The can is black/rusted inside

The black staining inside the can is not rust. In almost all instances, the black staining is a consequence of protein scaling resulting from the fish coming into direct contact with the inside of the can during the cooking process, which may get scalded onto the metal.

  1. There is mould inside the can

Provided that the can was properly sealed at time of opening, the “mould” is actually oil from the fish that might have solidified if the can has been subjected to temperature fluctuations (stored at low temperatures e.g. in winter months).