Simple recipes — prepared with carefully chosen, quality ingredients — are the foundation of Italian cooking. Portofino honors this old-world method with hand-picked tuna, extra virgin olive oil, and a pinch of sea salt. Its flavor will inspire you to make creative, modern dishes and new takes on classic tuna dishes. Tuna in E. V. O. O. is so tender and mellow, it changes everything about tuna.
Our Albacore tuna in extra virgin olive oil and sea salt is made with simple, well-thought-out ingredients that are steeped in Old-World tradition. Our Albacore in extra virgin olive oil has a mild but rich flavor. It’s the perfect protein for gourmet tuna dishes like our Endive Tuna and White Bean Salad Cups and an upgrade to simple tuna recipes like our Classic Tuna Melt. Read the five-star reviews on Amazon to find out what other people thought of our premium Albacore tuna in extra virgin olive oil.
We start with hand-selected cuts of wild-caught Yellowfin tuna. Then, high-quality extra virgin olive oil and a pinch of sea salt are added to each can to make the taste and texture extra smooth and soft. It tastes great on its own or in one of our creative dishes, like a Classic Tuna Nicoise Salad or a Brie, Pear, and Yellowfin Tuna Sandwich. Read the five-star reviews on Amazon to find out what other people thought of our premium Yellowfin tuna in extra virgin olive oil.
If you’re a fan of high-quality canned tuna packed in olive oil, chances are you’ve tried Portofino tuna. With its delicious Italian-style tuna canned in extra virgin olive oil Portofino has become a popular choice for tuna lovers looking for a premium experience.
But who is behind this tasty tuna brand? In this article, we’ll uncover the full story behind the ownership and history of Portofino tuna.
A Quick History of Portofino Tuna
Portofino is a relatively new brand in the canned tuna market, having been launched in 2017 by Bumble Bee Foods. With their commitment to using wild-caught tuna hand-packed in extra virgin olive oil with just a touch of sea salt, Portofino quickly became a favorite thanks to its simple, high-quality ingredients.
The Portofino line focuses on bringing the authentic flavor of Italian-style tuna packed in olive oil to American consumers They offer two varieties – Solid Yellowfin Tuna and Solid Albacore Tuna – both packed in recyclable steel cans
Despite being a new brand, Portofino has already made a name for itself among tuna aficionados seeking a delicious and sustainably-sourced product.
The Ownership Story Behind Portofino
So who owns Portofino tuna? The Portofino brand is owned by Bumble Bee Foods LLC, the popular 120-year-old American seafood company.
Bumble Bee Foods launched Portofino as a new product line in 2017. However, in 2019 the company filed for bankruptcy due to financial struggles and legal troubles.
In 2020, Bumble Bee Foods was acquired by FCF Co. Ltd, a global seafood supplier based in Taiwan. This allowed the continued production of Bumble Bee products, including Portofino tuna.
FCF Co. has a long 30+ year relationship with Bumble Bee as a supplier and purchaser. The acquisition provided an opportunity for Bumble Bee to move forward despite its challenges.
Jan Tharp, CEO of Bumble Bee, expressed confidence in the company’s future under FCF, citing a shared commitment to sustainability and conservation.
Why Did Bumble Bee Declare Bankruptcy?
In order to understand Portofino’s ownership, it helps to know why Bumble Bee struggled financially. In 2017, Bumble Bee pled guilty to price-fixing of canned tuna and paid a $25 million criminal fine.
This led to multiple civil lawsuits from retailers, distributors and consumers. The expensive legal battles ultimately forced Bumble Bee into Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2019 to restructure its debts.
Selling the company to FCF Co. allowed Bumble Bee to continue normal operations and bring great products like Portofino tuna to market.
What Does This Mean for Portofino Tuna?
The good news is that despite the bankruptcy and ownership change, Portofino remains committed to its trademark quality and taste.
Portofino Albacore and Yellowfin tuna continues to be hand-packed in olive oil, using sustainable fishing practices. FCF and Bumble Bee share a focus on responsible sourcing and fishery improvements.
While the ownership situation was complex, foodies can rest assured knowing Portofino maintains its dedication to delicious Italian-style tuna.
The Future of Portofino Tuna
With its reputation for premium quality and a new owner invested in its success, the future looks bright for Portofino tuna.
As the market for high-quality seafood grows, Portofino is positioned to meet demand with its sustainably-caught tuna and top-notch flavor.
The brand has earned devoted fans who will likely continue purchasing Portofino as their go-to pantry staple. Its recipe-friendly flavor and eco-conscious ethos also connect with modern consumers.
While the ultimate impact remains to be seen, Portofino brings a unique offering to the canned tuna segment. With strong ownership and an appetizing product, Portofino has a solid foundation for continued growth in the tuna arena.
The Takeaway
Portofino’s journey has been an interesting one, starting as a new brand by Bumble Bee before bankruptcy and an acquisition. While the ownership situation was complex, the focus remains on quality.
Food lovers can continue to enjoy delicious Portofino tuna packed sustainably in olive oil. With stable ownership and resources to support expansion, the Portofino brand has a bright future ahead.
So next time you crack open a can of this tasty tuna, you’ll know the full story behind the scenes of who owns Portofino.
Skinless • Boneless Sardines
Hand-selected, wild-caught, skinless & boneless sardine fillets packed in high-quality extra virgin olive oil with a touch of natural smoky flavor. Enjoy our gourmet sardines the Italian way – on crackers, crusty bread with a squeeze of lemon, or on top of your pasta or salad. Excellent source of Vitamin D and Selenium plus 1200 mg of Omega-3s per serving. Try it. Love it. Available on Amazon.
Tuna 101: Everything You Need to Know About Shopping for Canned Tuna
FAQ
Who makes Portofino tuna?
Is Portofino tuna wild caught?
Is StarKist tuna from China?
Who is the parent company of Genova tuna?
What makes Portofino special?
Simple recipes — prepared with carefully chosen, quality ingredients — are the foundation of Italian cooking. With hand-selected tuna, extra virgin olive oil and a dash of sea salt, Portofino honors this old-world approach with a flavor that will inspire you to prepare creative, modern dishes and new interpretations of tuna classics.
What is Bella Portofino tuna?
Today, Bella Portofino is proud to introduce its debut line of Italian-style Albacore and Yellowfin tuna. Packed in extra virgin olive oil with a touch of sea salt, the wild caught, epicurean brand serves up premium and delectable tuna. “As a devout foodie, I believe that a beautiful meal starts with simple, quality ingredients.
What does Portofino tuna taste like?
With hand-selected tuna, extra virgin olive oil and a dash of sea salt, Portofino honors this old-world approach with a flavor that will inspire you to prepare creative, modern dishes and new interpretations of tuna classics. Tuna in E.V.O.O. is so tender and mellow, it changes everything about tuna.
What is Bella Portofino?
Bella Portofino is committed to showcasing the exceptional flavor of Italian-style tuna packed in extra virgin olive oil. Our products are made with three simple ingredients: wild-caught and hand-selected tuna, extra virgin olive oil and a touch of sea salt.