For those avoiding added sugars
You’d like to keep brioche on the menu with your tea, but choose a recipe with no added sugars. This doesn’t rule out sugars naturally present in the product.
Who are these options for?
For those looking for a less sweet brioche
You want to keep that soft texture and are looking for a product that claims to contain less sugar than a reference recipe, without requiring it to have no added sugar.
For those who prefer a crunch
With your tea, you’d rather have crispbread or crunchy toast, even if that means choosing something other than brioche.
Which criteria should you prioritise?
First decide whether you want to keep the soft texture of brioche. If so, the difference between “no added sugars” and “less sugar” will help you narrow down your options.
| Criterion | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| No added sugars | Read the exact claim and ingredients list, then compare the “of which sugars” figure per 100 g. Anses distinguishes between “no added sugars” and “sugar-free”. | I want to enjoy brioche with my tea without choosing a recipe with added sugar; I also check its total sugar content. Around 42% of consumers prioritise no added sugars. |
| Relative reduction in sugar | Check which product is used as the basis for the claimed reduction and read the ingredients: “30% less” doesn’t mean the same sugar content across all brioches. | If I want a soft texture but am looking for a recipe claimed to contain less sugar than a reference product, a reduced-sugar brioche fits the bill. Around 33% of consumers prioritise a relative reduction. |
| Crunchy texture | Choose between brioche and crispbread, then compare the nutritional information per 100 g and the allergens in the product you’re considering. | With my tea, I prefer something crunchy, even if that means looking beyond brioche. Around 25% of consumers prioritise this texture above all. |
Common misconceptions to avoid
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Confusing “no added sugars” with “sugar-free”
These claims don’t mean the same thing. According to the Carrefour product listing, La Boulangère sliced brioche with no added sugars contains 5.4 g of sugars per 100 g; Anses sets the “sugar-free” threshold at less than 0.5 g per 100 g.
If total sugar content is your priority, check the “of which sugars” figure per 100 g rather than relying on the claim on the front of the pack.
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Assuming a brioche labelled “30% less” has no added sugar
The ingredients lists for the Pasquier and Harrys sliced brioches featured by Carrefour include sugar. Their claimed reduction is a comparison with a reference product, not a promise that no sugar has been added.
Check the stated basis for comparison and read the ingredients if you want to avoid added sugars.
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Overlooking allergens when comparing sugar claims
A sugar-related claim tells you nothing about allergens. The La Boulangère brioche described by Carrefour contains wheat, eggs and butter, among other ingredients.
If you have an allergy or intolerance, read the allergen declaration on the specific pack you’re buying, including when choosing a crunchy alternative.
Brands to know for this choice
La Boulangère
Its 450 g sliced brioche carries a “no added sugars” claim, making it an option if you want to enjoy brioche without added sugar.
- The Carrefour product listing gives this product’s sugar content as 5.4 g per 100 g.
- It isn’t “sugar-free” according to the Anses threshold; it contains wheat, eggs and butter.
Brioche Pasquier
The brand offers a sliced brioche labelled “30% less sugar” and, in a different category, crispbreads with no added sugars.
- According to Brioche Pasquier, its wholemeal crispbread with no added sugars contains 3.2 g of sugars and 12 g of fibre per 100 g.
- The “30% less” brioche featured by Carrefour contains sugar; crispbread doesn’t have the soft texture of brioche.
Harrys
The “less sugar” sliced and braided brioches are presented as recipes with a relative reduction in sugar.
- For its sliced brioche, Carrefour states that it contains 30% less sugar than the average plain sliced brioche.
- The ingredients list for this product includes sugar. For the braided brioche, check the claims and ingredients on the pack you buy.
Carrefour Classic'
Its 450 g reduced-sugar sliced brioche is a reduced-sugar option, not a no-added-sugars one.
- The Carrefour product listing states that this product contains 6.1 g of added sugars per 100 g.
- Sugar is listed in the ingredients, so this brioche doesn’t meet the no-added-sugars criterion.
A crunchy option on Joybuy
If you find a crunchy snack goes better with your tea than soft brioche, this selection features a wholemeal Swedish crispbread with no added sugars, rather than brioche.
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KRISPROLLS wholemeal Swedish crispbreads with no added sugars, 425 g
Worth considering with tea if you prefer a crunchy crispbread to soft brioche. 425 g pack; “no added sugars” doesn’t mean “sugar-free”.
Frequently asked questions
Is brioche with “no added sugars” sugar-free?
No. It can contain naturally occurring sugars: the Carrefour product listing for La Boulangère sliced brioche with no added sugars gives its sugar content as 5.4 g per 100 g. Anses states that “sugar-free” means less than 0.5 g per 100 g.
What does “30% less sugar” mean on a brioche?
It means a relative reduction compared with a reference product, not a promise that the brioche contains no sugar. The ingredients lists for the Pasquier and Harrys brioches featured by Carrefour include sugar; also check the basis for comparison stated for each product.
Which allergens should you check before buying a less-sweet brioche?
Check the pack you’ve chosen rather than making assumptions based on its sugar claim. The La Boulangère brioche with no added sugars featured by Carrefour contains wheat, eggs and butter, among other ingredients.
How should you store Harrys braided brioche after opening?
For the “less sugar” braided brioche featured by Auchan, the storage advice is to keep it at room temperature and reseal the bag securely after use. Follow the instructions on the pack you buy.