Who are these guidelines for?

Anyone comparing portions

You want to know how much soup each pack makes. For a dehydrated sachet, check the volume once prepared with water rather than looking only at the weight of the powder.

Anyone looking for a quick single serving

You’re looking for soup that can be stored in a dry place and made one portion at a time. The Moulinée 12 légumes by Royco, listed by Auchan, contains four 20 cl sachets; each sachet is prepared with 200 ml of boiling water.

Anyone checking ingredients and allergens

You check the ingredients before choosing a soup. The DGCCRF says that allergens must be clearly highlighted on pre-packed food labels. Also check the nutritional information for the product you’re considering.

What should you check?

If the soup is for a recipe, start with the ingredients and the format it calls for. If you’re buying soup to eat, you can then compare the portions, preparation method and ingredients.

Criteria What to check Who is it for?
Portions and volume Number of portions and volume of soup prepared, especially how much you get after adding water to a powder. I want to know how many bowls the pack will serve; around 34% of consumers put the quantity prepared first.
Format and preparation Can, carton, sachet or frozen; preparation instructions and storage conditions. If I want to prepare a portion quickly without needing chilled storage, the format is my first priority. This is the main consideration for around 33% of consumers.
Ingredients Ingredients list, allergens and the amount of salt per stated portion. Before choosing, I want to spot the ingredients that matter to me and compare the nutritional information. For around 33% of consumers, ingredients are the main consideration.

Which mix-ups should you avoid?

  • Assuming every type of soup comes in a can

    Powder that needs reconstituting, liquid soup in a carton and frozen soup are prepared and stored in different ways. This matters particularly if you’re following a recipe that specifies a particular format.

    Check the product description and preparation instructions before considering a substitute.

  • Overlooking allergens and salt

    Ingredients vary between products. The Moulinée 12 légumes by Royco, listed by Auchan, contains milk, celery and gluten, among other ingredients, and 1.5 g of salt per 200 ml portion.

    Check the label of the product you choose, paying particular attention to highlighted allergens and the salt per portion.

  • Using a damaged can

    The DGCCRF says that a swollen, rusty or misshapen can may indicate that its contents have deteriorated.

    Do not use a can showing these signs, and don’t eat its contents if you have any doubts.

Sachet soup brands to know

These are dehydrated soups, not canned soups for use in baking.

Royco

Dehydrated soups in individual sachets, prepared with water.

  • The Moulinée 12 légumes listed by Auchan contains four 20 cl sachets, each prepared with 200 ml of boiling water.
  • This product contains milk, celery and gluten, among other ingredients. Check the label before buying.

Marque Repère / RégAL Soupe

A range of dehydrated sachet soups listed by E.Leclerc.

  • The range includes several recipes and pack sizes.
  • Check the prepared volume and the label for each recipe: the details of one sachet won’t apply to the whole range.

Eco+

A range of dehydrated sachet soups listed by E.Leclerc.

  • One of the products listed is a 56 g chicken and vermicelli soup.
  • Check the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information for the recipe you choose.

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Frequently asked questions

Is Royco sachet soup canned soup?

No. The Moulinée 12 légumes listed by Auchan is a dehydrated soup that you prepare with boiling water. If a recipe calls for canned soup, check its instructions before using this sachet instead.

What should you look for on the label of pre-packed soup?

Check the product description, ingredients, allergens, quantity and nutritional information for the product you choose. The DGCCRF says that allergens must be clearly highlighted.

Can you eat soup if the can is swollen or rusty?

Do not use a swollen, rusty or misshapen can. The DGCCRF warns that these signs may indicate that the product has deteriorated. If in doubt, don’t eat its contents.

How should you store soup after opening?

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on temperature and how long to keep the soup after opening. The date on the packaging doesn’t replace these instructions.

Is the Nutri-Score enough to compare two soups?

No. If it appears on the packaging, consider it alongside the ingredients list, allergens, nutritional information and portion size. On its own, it doesn’t tell you everything you need to know.