Who is this guide for?

People who need to avoid a specific allergen

You need to check every recipe rather than relying on the words ‘vegetable soup’. The Carrefour and Auchan soup product pages reviewed list milk, celery, wheat or egg, depending on the product.

Households keeping an eye on how much they buy

You’re comparing pack sizes with the number of portions your household will actually eat. A large carton is only useful if the recipe is suitable for you and you can follow the storage instructions after opening.

People choosing between different formats

You need to decide between ambient soup that’s ready to heat, frozen soup and a dehydrated mix. Storage space, the equipment you have and the preparation instructions can all help you choose.

What should you check before buying?

If you’re buying soup for someone with an allergy, start with the allergen they need to avoid and the label on the product you’re buying. Then compare pack sizes and storage requirements across the recipes that may be suitable.

What to consider What to check Who is it for?
Allergens Check the ingredients list, any highlighted allergens and any precautionary ‘may contain’ statements on the pack you’re buying. If I need to avoid a specific allergen, the recipe name alone isn’t enough to help me choose. Around 50% of consumers put this check first when making their choice.
Amount you’ll use Compare the pack size and number of portions with how much you plan to eat, particularly after opening. If I’m buying soup for several meals, I want an amount my household can use without exceeding the storage instructions. This is a priority for around 30% of consumers.
Storage and preparation Check the instructions for before and after opening, as well as the equipment you’ll need to heat or prepare it. If I have limited freezer space or want to prepare a portion quickly, the format will guide my choice. Around 20% of consumers prioritise this.

Common mix-ups to avoid

  • Assuming vegetable soup is suitable for every allergy

    The Carrefour Velouté Légumes soup reviewed contains wheat, egg, cream and celeriac. The Auchan blended vegetable soup reviewed contains milk and celeriac.

    Check the recipe and the information on the pack you’re buying, based on the allergens you need to avoid.

  • Assuming a dehydrated sachet is the same as a carton of soup ready to heat

    The volume of the sachet isn’t the same as the volume of the prepared soup. For the product shown, Royco says to add 200 ml of boiling water and leave it for two minutes.

    Check the instructions and number of portions for each recipe before comparing different formats.

  • Opening a large carton without planning for the leftovers

    The Auchan blended vegetable soup reviewed must be refrigerated after opening and used within two days.

    Choose a pack size that suits the portions you have planned, and follow the instructions on the product you buy.

  • Treating frozen soup like ambient soup

    The Auchan 5 Vegetable Soup reviewed must be stored in the freezer at −18 °C and must not be refrozen once defrosted.

    Check the storage instructions before choosing between ambient, frozen or dehydrated soup.

Brands and retailers to know

Carrefour

The retailer offers a range of its own-brand liquid soups in cartons.

  • The product page for the 1 L Velouté Légumes lists the ingredients for that product.
  • This recipe contains wheat, egg, cream and celeriac, so check each product individually.

E.Leclerc / Marque Repère

The range shown includes Regal Soupe and Bio Village soups in cartons, in a variety of sizes.

  • The category page lets you browse the recipes and pack sizes available.
  • If you’re choosing based on a specific allergen, check the ingredients for the product you’ve selected on its product page or packaging.

Auchan

The retailer offers ready-to-eat soups in cartons, as well as frozen soups.

  • The product pages reviewed give details of the ingredients and storage instructions.
  • The recipes reviewed contain milk and/or celery. The frozen 5 Vegetable Soup must be stored at −18 °C and must not be refrozen once defrosted.

ALDI / Les Printanières

The retailer offers soups in cartons, as well as instant soups.

  • These formats make it easy to distinguish soup that’s ready to heat from an instant mix.
  • Check the allergens on the packaging for the recipe you choose.

Royco

Royco offers dehydrated soups, providing a different storage option from ready-to-eat soup.

  • For the product shown, Royco says to add 200 ml of boiling water and leave it for two minutes.
  • Check the ingredients and instructions for each recipe before choosing it.

Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Is vegetable soup always suitable for someone with an allergy?

No. Ingredients vary by recipe. The Carrefour and Auchan vegetable soups reviewed contain wheat, egg, milk or celeriac, depending on the product. Check the label on the product you’re buying against the allergens you need to avoid.

Where can you find allergens on prepacked soup?

For prepacked food in France, the DGCCRF says allergens are highlighted in the ingredients list. Read the full label too if you need to avoid several ingredients or take account of any ‘may contain’ statements.

How long can you keep a carton of soup after opening?

Follow the storage period on the carton you buy, as this can vary by recipe. For the Auchan blended vegetable soup reviewed, the instructions say to refrigerate it after opening and use it within two days.

Can you store frozen soup in the same way as ambient soup?

No. The Auchan frozen 5 Vegetable Soup reviewed must be stored at −18 °C and must not be refrozen once defrosted. Check the instructions for the product you choose.