When we hear the phrase "overfishing," we don't think about sardines, but between 2006 and 2016, sardine populations fell by 80% due to overfishing.

Brands that practice sustainable harvesting have labels like MSC and ENEEK, certified by the Marine Stewardship Council and Basque Country respectively, on their cans.

The blue MSC label signals that a fishery maintains healthy sardine populations, keeps affected ecosystems in balance, and stays up-to-date with environmental laws.

The ENEEK label, on the other hand, certifies a product as being organic by EU standards, which also entails following sustainable practices.

Also, look for Friend of the Sea labeling. This organization's regulations extend to a wider range of species across the globe, in addition to addressing carbon footprint.