Who are these criteria useful for?

People keeping an eye on carbohydrates

For a quick meal, a sauce can change the carbohydrate and sugar values compared with a plain recipe. Ameli recommends comparing the values per 100 g, then taking the amount you eat into account.

People interested in organic ingredients

A claim that a product contains an organic ingredient does not describe the entire tin. Some Saupiquet and Auchan recipes state the proportion of ingredients from organic farming. Check this detail to understand exactly what the claim covers.

People keeping an eye on salt and fat

A plain recipe, one in sauce and one packed in oil cannot be compared by name alone. Ameli also recommends checking the salt and fat values in the nutritional information.

What should you compare before buying?

Start with the nutritional values per 100 g and the portion you plan to eat. Then check the ingredients, what the organic claim covers and any instructions for using the recipe you are interested in.

Criteria What to check Who it matters to
Carbohydrates and sugars Compare the carbohydrate and sugar values per 100 g, then consider how much you will eat. Check the ingredients in any sauces. If I want to limit the carbohydrates in my meal, the difference between a plain recipe and one in sauce matters when I choose. Around 33% of consumers would make this their top priority.
What the organic claim covers Check the percentage of ingredients from organic farming and the certification details for the specific product. I want to choose organic ingredients, but also understand exactly what the claim covers on the tin. This would be a top priority for around 25% of consumers.
Salt and fat Compare salt and fat on the same per-100 g basis; distinguish between the drained and undrained product. When I compare a plain recipe with one packed in oil, I want to take the salt and fat into account as part of my overall diet. Around 25% of consumers would prioritise this balance.
Ease of use Check the ingredients list and the storage instructions after opening. For a quick meal, I prefer an easy-to-read ingredients list and leftovers that are simple to store according to the label. Simplicity would be a priority for around 17% of consumers.

Common misconceptions to avoid

  • Assuming ‘made with organic ingredients’ means ‘organic mackerel’

    Product listings for some Saupiquet and Auchan recipes specify that some of the ingredients from farming are organic. This information alone does not mean that the fish is organic.

    For the product you choose, check its name, the stated percentage, the certification details and, if shown on the packaging, the organic logo.

  • Choosing based on the organic claim without checking the nutritional values

    Recipes made with organic ingredients do not all have the same nutritional values. Saupiquet states that its organic tomato recipe contains 9.9 g of carbohydrates per 100 g of product, compared with 0.5 g per 100 g for its organic mild mustard recipe.

    Compare the carbohydrates, sugars and salt in the specific recipe, then take your portion into account rather than relying on a claim shared by both products.

  • Comparing values calculated before and after draining

    For its fillets in olive oil, Saupiquet gives fat values of 37 g per 100 g of product and 19 g per 100 g of drained product. These figures relate to different amounts of sauce being eaten.

    Before comparing two tins, check whether their nutritional information relates to the whole product or the drained product.

  • Forgetting the instructions for storing the product after opening

    An unopened tin and an opened tin need to be stored differently. The instructions for after opening are especially important if you do not eat the whole tin at once.

    Follow the packaging instructions to refrigerate the leftovers and use them within the stated timeframe.

Brands and ranges to compare

These products are examples for comparing specific ingredients lists and labels, not a reason to assume that every product from a brand has the same characteristics.

Saupiquet

The range includes fillets in extra virgin olive oil, with tomato, and with mild mustard, made with ingredients from organic farming.

  • The listings for the olive oil and mild mustard recipes state that 20% and 14% respectively of the ingredients are from organic farming, with FR-BIO-10 certification.
  • The sauce affects the nutritional values: the tomato recipe contains 9.9 g of carbohydrates per 100 g of product. Compare each product separately.

Petit Navire

The Filets de Maquereaux Vapeur Nature product offers a useful comparison with seasoned recipes, thanks to its short ingredients list.

  • Petit Navire states that this product contains 99% mackerel fillets and salt.
  • This ingredients list is not enough to present the product as an organic option; check the label if this is an important consideration for you.

Carrefour Extra / Carrefour

Carrefour Extra Grilled Natural Fillets provide a point of comparison with seasoned recipes listed by Carrefour.

  • The published ingredients list for Carrefour Extra Grilled Natural Fillets states that they contain 64% mackerel, water, salt and spices.
  • The organic claim for the Les Mouettes d’Arvor seaweed recipe listed by Carrefour covers 19% of ingredients from organic farming; it does not describe Carrefour Extra fillets.

Auchan

The plain fillets and the wholegrain mustard recipe offer a comparison between two distinct ingredients lists.

  • The listing for the plain fillets states that they contain 99% mackerel and salt.
  • The wholegrain mustard recipe states that 28% of its ingredients are from organic farming. It also contains 2.7 g of carbohydrates and 1.2 g of salt per 100 g, so the ingredients and nutritional values of the plain version do not apply.

Pêche Océan / E.Leclerc

Pêche Océan’s natural fillets offer another point of comparison for a recipe packed in water and salt.

  • The E.Leclerc listing states that the mackerel fillets contain water and salt, with 0 g of carbohydrates and 0.6 g of salt per 100 g.
  • These values apply to this plain product. Check the ingredients and nutritional information for any other Pêche Océan recipe.

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Frequently asked questions

Is canned mackerel automatically suitable if you have diabetes?

No. The product name alone is not enough to tell you whether a tin is suitable for your diet. Ameli recommends checking the nutritional information and taking the amount you eat into account. A plain recipe and one in sauce may have different carbohydrate, sugar, salt and fat values.

Does ‘made with organic ingredients’ mean the mackerel is organic?

No. This claim alone does not mean that the fish is organic. Listings for several Saupiquet and Auchan recipes state the exact proportion of ingredients from organic farming. Check this proportion, the product name and the certification details on the tin you are interested in.

Which recipe should I compare first if I am watching my carbohydrate intake?

A plain recipe gives you a simple point of comparison: Petit Navire states that its Filets de Maquereaux Vapeur Nature contain 0 g of carbohydrates per 100 g. A seasoned recipe may also be low in carbohydrates, but you should still check its specific values. Saupiquet states that Moutarde douce bio contains 0.5 g per 100 g, while Concassé de tomates bio contains 9.9 g per 100 g of product.

How should I store the rest of an opened tin?

Follow the storage instructions and use-by timeframe shown on the packaging of the product you choose. Several Saupiquet and Auchan listings advise refrigerating the product and eating it within two days of opening.