Tuna and bonito packed in brine have to a great extait replaced oil 

 packs in institutional markets. These packs are made by foreign firms who 

 now supply the greater part of the United States institutional consumers' 

 needs. Hotels, restaurants, school lunchrooms^ hospitals, and other 

 quantity food purveyors in all areas canvassed have shown an overwhelming 

 change to brine packs „ In the New England area the following reasons 

 are given for this change: 



1. It is usually a solid jack which is entirely usable and has cus- 

 tomer appeal and acceptance. 



2« It is more economical when compared to the oil packe 



3. The large size can -- such as the No, 4 ~ has advantages in that 

 it cuts costs by saving time and labor in preparation, and re- 

 quiring less handling and storage space. 



4. It is a quality pack, 



5. It keeps well in storage, 



6. Packing in brine does not necessarily detract from appearance, 

 texture, or flavor. 



7. When drained, it is adaptable for all culinary purposes. 



One of the_ largest vAiolesale grocers in the United States, catering 

 primarily to institutional users,, reports doing about 85 percent of his 

 tuna business with the impoirted brine packs. In factj the domestic oil 

 packs now make up only about one-half of one percent of his sales. Before 

 the brine packs became available, this wholesaler was selling a fairly 

 large volume of domestic packs of tuna in oil. Many vrtiolesalers and 

 brokers report that although they do not carry any brine packs in the re- 

 tail or "shelf" size containers, they do carry brine packs in the larger 

 volume containers that are used ty institutions. 



Institutions and restaurants purchase foods on a more objective 

 basis than household consumere. Since tuna in brine can be bought for 

 less, and is substitutable for tuna in oil, it is not surprising that 

 the brine pack has found wide acceptance by this trade. The brine pack 

 is particularly suitable for cooked tuna dishes where the oil is not 

 necessary. If household cceisumers made purchases in accordance with 

 requirements of the diaies they prepared the increase in brine pack 

 sales no doubt would be considerable. However, there is nothing to in- 

 dicate this will occur in the near future. Consumption of the brine 

 pack is expected to be limited for some time to come. 



