People who need to avoid a specific allergen
The soup’s name, its Nutri-Score or a claim about sugars are no substitute for checking the ingredients and warnings on the recipe you’re buying.
Who is this guide for?
Households looking to limit added sugars
A ‘no added sugars’ claim can help guide your choice, but naturally occurring sugars still count towards the ‘sugars’ figure in the nutritional information.
People looking for a quick meal to prepare
A smaller pack or a sachet may suit your needs. Preparation instructions, ingredients and any ‘may contain’ warnings vary from one product to another.
What should you check first?
Start with the allergen in question, then compare the sugars and pack format. The DGCCRF reminds consumers that allergens must be highlighted in the ingredients list and that nutritional information is given per 100 g or 100 ml.
| Criteria | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Allergen to avoid | Check the highlighted ingredients and any ‘may contain’ warnings for the exact variant. | If an allergen affects me, I want to rule out an unsuitable recipe before comparing its other features; around 46% of consumers would put this check first. |
| Added sugars and total sugars | Look for the exact claim, then compare the ‘sugars’ figure for soups shown on the same basis: per 100 ml or per 100 g. | If I’m looking to limit added sugars, I also want to know how much sugar the soup contains in total; around 36% of consumers would make this their priority. |
| Pack format and portions | Check the packaging, number of portions and, for a sachet, the preparation instructions. | For a meal to share or a portion that’s quick to prepare, I want a pack suited to the number of people and the time available; around 18% of consumers would prioritise this criterion. |
Common mix-ups to avoid
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Confusing ‘no added sugars’ with ‘sugar-free’
A soup labelled ‘no added sugars’ may still contain naturally occurring sugars.
To check the total sugar content, compare the ‘sugars’ figure in the nutritional information for recipes shown on the same basis.
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Relying on the soup’s name instead of checking its ingredients
Soups described as vegetable soups may contain celery or milk-based ingredients, for example. The Royco vegetable and vermicelli soup recipe also lists ingredients containing gluten and possible traces of other allergens.
Check the ingredients and warnings for the variant and pack format you’re planning to buy, taking the allergen that affects you into account.
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Assuming cans, cartons, bottles and sachets are interchangeable
Not all these formats contain soup that’s ready to eat: dried soup in a sachet needs to be reconstituted.
Check the volume, number of portions and preparation instructions before choosing a format.
You’ll need boiling water to prepare the Royco vegetable and vermicelli soup recipe.
Brands and retailers to consider, depending on the recipe
Royco
Royco offers several ranges of soups in sachets, including recipes with vermicelli that need to be reconstituted.
- A sachet lets you choose a recipe to prepare as an individual portion, following the product instructions.
- Auchan’s listing for its vegetable and vermicelli soup includes ingredients containing gluten, celery and milk proteins, as well as several possible traces. This ingredient list does not apply to every Royco recipe.
Carrefour
The retailer offers liquid soups under several brands and in different formats.
- Product listings let you compare the ingredients and nutritional information for different recipes.
- Carrefour’s listing for SIMPL vegetable soup states that it contains celery and butter, and has 1 g of added sugars per 100 g. These details should not be applied to any other soup on the shelf.
Auchan
The range includes liquid soups as well as instant soups from several brands.
- Cartons and sachets offer different ways to enjoy soup.
- The range alone doesn’t tell you which allergens or sugars a recipe contains: check the information for the exact product.
Marcel Bio
The brand offers soups in bottles, including a 7-vegetable recipe labelled ‘no added sugars’ on its Carrefour listing.
- This claim helps you identify the 7-vegetable recipe if you’re looking to limit added sugars.
- It doesn’t mean the soup contains no naturally occurring sugars, or that it’s suitable for someone with a particular allergy. Check the label on the product you buy.
Joybuy products related to this topic
Related products coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
Is a soup labelled ‘no added sugars’ automatically suitable for someone with an allergy?
No. This claim relates to sugars, not allergens. Check the ingredients and warnings for the exact product against the allergen you need to avoid. The DGCCRF states that allergens must be highlighted in the ingredients list.
How do you compare the sugar content of two liquid soups?
Compare the ‘sugars’ figure on the same basis, per 100 ml or per 100 g, depending on the nutritional information shown. A ‘no added sugars’ claim doesn’t rule out naturally occurring sugars.
Can a sachet of instant soup replace a ready-to-eat canned soup?
Not if you want soup that needs no preparation: dried soup in a sachet must be reconstituted according to the instructions. Check its ingredients list too, as it may differ from that of a liquid soup with a similar name.