Who is this guide for?

Anyone comparing sugar content

You’re looking for soup to keep in the cupboard before a meal and want to distinguish between the sugar content shown on the label, sugar in the ingredients and any ‘reduced in sugars’ claim.

Families planning several portions

You’re choosing ready-to-serve soup for Easter meals and need to match the pack size to the number of guests, as well as follow the storage instructions once it’s opened.

Anyone considering individual sachets

You prefer dehydrated soup in individual portions, but check the ingredients and allergens in your chosen recipe rather than relying on its format.

What should you look at first?

Start by comparing ready-to-eat soups on the same basis: per 100 ml. If you’re considering dehydrated soup, take its preparation into account before comparing its nutritional information with that of a liquid soup.

Criteria What to check Who is it for?
Sugars and claims Compare the ‘of which sugars’ figures per 100 ml for similar liquid soups. If a product says ‘reduced in sugars’, check the claim against the exact recipe rather than inferring it from the nutritional information alone. If I’m mainly looking for a soup with less sugar, I want to compare recipes without confusing the label information with a claim. Around 50% of consumers with this concern would make this their priority.
Ingredients and allergens Read the ingredients list and the allergens highlighted for your chosen recipe; also compare the salt content on a like-for-like basis. When several guests are sharing a meal, I need to know whether the recipe contains ingredients they avoid. This would be the main concern for around 30% of consumers with this concern.
Pack size and leftovers Check the number of portions and the storage instructions after opening before choosing between a large carton and individual portions. If I’m only serving some of the soup at Easter, I want to use the rest within the stated time. Around 20% of consumers with this concern would prioritise this.

Mistakes to avoid

  • Confusing different sugar claims

    The ‘of which sugars’ figure shows the sugars in the product. On its own, it doesn’t mean that no sugar has been added or that the soup contains less sugar than another recipe. The DGCCRF notes that nutrition claims are regulated.

    Read the nutritional values, ingredients and exact wording of any claim on the soup separately.

  • Comparing sugar content but forgetting salt

    Auchan France’s product information lists 0.58 g of salt per 100 ml for its blended vegetable soup and 0.6 g per 100 ml for POUCE vegetable velouté. Focusing only on sugars would mean missing this other difference on the label.

    Compare the salt per 100 ml too, then consider how much you plan to serve.

  • Assuming vegetable soup is suitable for everyone

    Ingredients vary by recipe: Carrefour France’s product information for Royco Pumpkin, Onion and Leek soup lists milk and wheat, among other ingredients. The name ‘vegetable soup’ isn’t enough to tell you which allergens it contains.

    Check the label on the recipe you buy, including highlighted allergens and any ‘may contain traces’ warnings.

  • Choosing a large carton without planning for leftovers

    Some soups sold in four portions come with storage instructions for after opening. The Auchan France product information consulted for Auchan and Liebig soups says to refrigerate them and consume within two days or 48 hours, depending on the recipe.

    Choose a pack size that suits your meal and follow the storage time shown on the carton you open.

Brands to know when comparing recipes

Royco

Royco offers dehydrated soups in sachets, among other products. They’re worth considering if individual portions suit your meal.

  • The brand offers several ranges and recipes of dehydrated soup.
  • According to Carrefour France’s product information, the Pumpkin, Onion and Leek recipe contains glucose syrup and sugar. Check the ingredients and allergens for each flavour rather than assuming they’re the same across the range.

Carrefour Classic'

This range includes liquid soups in cartons, such as its 8-vegetable velouté.

  • Carrefour France’s product information for the 8-vegetable velouté lists its ingredients and nutritional information, so you can check the specific recipe.
  • The ingredients list for this velouté includes sugar, milk and celery, among other ingredients. Don’t infer a ‘reduced in sugars’ claim from the recipe name.

Auchan

Auchan’s blended vegetable soup lets you compare the figures given for a ready-to-eat soup.

  • For this recipe, Auchan France lists 1.5 g of sugars and 0.58 g of salt per 100 ml, and says it serves four.
  • The product information says to consume the soup within two days of opening, so plan your portions accordingly.

POUCE

The POUCE vegetable velouté, distributed by Auchan, is another example of a liquid soup to assess recipe by recipe.

  • Auchan France’s product information lists 0.5 g of sugars and 0.6 g of salt per 100 ml for this velouté.
  • Its ingredients list also includes sugar: the ‘of which sugars’ figure doesn’t mean ‘no added sugars’.

ALDI / Simplement Bon & Bio

ALDI France includes a blended 7-vegetable soup and a vegetable and red lentil velouté in its range of organic soups.

  • These two product names help you identify different recipes before choosing.
  • If you’re choosing based on sugar content, compare the nutritional information on the packaging of your chosen recipe.

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Frequently asked questions

Can a soup be labelled ‘reduced in sugars’ based on its nutrition table?

No. An ‘of which sugars’ figure isn’t enough to substantiate this comparative claim. The DGCCRF notes that nutrition claims are regulated: check the claim on the exact product rather than inferring it from the figure or its Nutri-Score.

Does ‘no added sugars’ mean a soup contains no sugar at all?

No. Anses explains that ingredients can contain naturally occurring sugars even when a product is labelled ‘no added sugars’. Check the ‘of which sugars’ figure too.

What should I read on the label before buying packaged soup?

Check the ingredients list, allergens and nutritional information, particularly the sugar and salt content. To compare ready-to-eat soups, use the same basis of 100 ml, then check the pack size and storage instructions for your chosen product.

How long can you keep soup after opening?

Follow the storage method and time stated on the soup you buy. As examples for their specific recipes, product information published by Auchan France for Auchan and Liebig soups says to refrigerate them and consume within two days or 48 hours of opening.