People following a strict gluten-free diet
You’ll need to check the ‘gluten-free’ claim, ingredients and allergen information for each soup. A vegetable recipe may contain wheat in its vermicelli or flavourings.
Who is this guide for?
People keeping an eye on their salt intake
You want to compare soups as sold ready to eat on a like-for-like basis, then check how much salt is in the portion you’ll serve.
People comparing different formats
You’re choosing between canned, carton, instant sachet and fresh soup. Preparation and storage vary by product, while gluten and salt should be checked on every label.
What should you check before buying?
Start with the requirements that determine which recipes you can choose, then compare salt levels for the same volume. If you’re also considering formats other than canned soup, check how they need to be prepared and stored.
| Criterion | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten | Look for a ‘gluten-free’ claim, then read the ingredients and allergen information for the exact product. | If I need to avoid gluten completely, the name of a vegetable soup isn’t enough to help me choose. Around 46% of consumers with this requirement would make this their top priority. |
| Salt | Compare the grams of salt per 100 ml of soup as sold ready to eat, then check the amount for the volume you’ll serve. | When choosing between two soups, I want to know how much salt is in the bowl I’ll drink, not just what the packaging says. Keeping salt intake in check would come first for around 36% of consumers with this requirement. |
| Format and storage | Check how the product needs to be prepared and stored. | I’m looking for a format I can prepare and store in the way that suits my usual routine. Convenience would be the top priority for around 18% of consumers with this requirement. |
Label-reading mistakes to avoid
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Confusing ‘low salt’ with ‘gluten-free’
The Liebig ‘Velouté 12 Légumes Faible en Sel’ soup listed by Carrefour carries a warning that it may contain traces of wheat (gluten). So its low-salt claim alone doesn’t mean it’s suitable for a strict gluten-free diet.
Make two separate checks: look for a ‘gluten-free’ claim and check the allergens, then review the nutritional information for salt.
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Relying on the recipe name alone
Auchan’s listing for Royco vegetable and vermicelli soup states that the vermicelli contains wheat flour, while the flavourings contain wheat and barley. A soup’s name doesn’t tell you everything that’s in it.
Read the full ingredients list and allergen information, even when the recipe seems to be made mainly from vegetables.
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Comparing salt without considering the portion you’ll serve
A value given per 100 ml and one given per prepared portion don’t refer to the same volume. For an instant sachet, the amount of water you use also affects the comparison.
First compare soups as sold ready to eat per 100 ml, then read or work out how much salt is in your portion.
Brands and ranges to consider
These examples also include carton, fresh and instant soups. Their labels can’t tell you whether a different recipe or a canned soup from the same brand is suitable.
Royco
Royco offers several ranges of instant soup, including varieties with vermicelli.
- Auchan’s listing for the vegetable and vermicelli recipe lets you check the ingredients in a sachet that needs to be reconstituted.
- This recipe contains wheat flour in its vermicelli, and the flavourings also list wheat and barley. This doesn’t apply to every Royco soup.
Liebig
The range includes a 1 L carton of ‘Velouté 12 Légumes Faible en Sel’ listed by Carrefour.
- This product lets you compare a soup described as low in salt with other soups using their nutritional information.
- Its listing says it may contain traces of wheat (gluten), so don’t assume it’s suitable for a strict gluten-free diet.
Regal Soupe
E.Leclerc lists Regal Soupe carton soups as well as instant soup mixes.
- The different formats offer preparation methods you can compare to find what suits your needs.
- E.Leclerc’s listing for an instant vegetable soup states that one of its flavourings contains wheat. Check each recipe separately.
Carrefour Traiteur
Carrefour Traiteur lists a fresh soup made with eight vegetables, with a claim relating to reduced salt.
- The listing specifies storage between 0 and +4 °C, which is worth considering if you’re comparing this fresh soup with an ambient product.
- The listing includes milk and celery among the allergens. If you need to avoid gluten completely, check the claim on the exact packaging before choosing.
Soups on Joybuy
Related products will be available soon.
Frequently asked questions
Is vegetable soup without vermicelli always gluten-free?
No. The recipe name alone doesn’t show whether a soup is suitable for a strict gluten-free diet. Look for a ‘gluten-free’ claim, then check the ingredients and allergen information on the exact packaging.
Is ‘low-salt’ soup suitable if I need to avoid gluten completely?
Only if that particular product also meets your gluten requirements. For example, Carrefour says that Liebig ‘Velouté 12 Légumes Faible en Sel’ may contain traces of wheat (gluten), so check both criteria separately.
How do I compare the salt in instant soup and carton soup?
Compare the values per 100 ml of soup as sold ready to eat, then check how much salt is in your bowl. For instant soup, take account of the amount of water specified in the preparation instructions rather than comparing the powder directly with carton soup.
Does fresh soup keep in the same way as canned soup?
Check the storage instructions for each product, as they aren’t interchangeable. Carrefour Traiteur says its fresh eight-vegetable soup should be stored between 0 and +4 °C. Bear this in mind before choosing your format.