Anyone keeping an eye on the energy in each bite
If you’re serving a small amount of rice, compare the kcal per 100 g, then measure out the portion. A whole packet isn’t necessarily the right size for a drinks-party serving.
Who are these criteria useful for?
Hosts who want to serve hot rice quickly
An express pouch can make last-minute serving easier. Check the reheating method and time for the recipe you choose, rather than assuming it also has the lowest energy value.
Anyone who needs to check the ingredients
The name “cooked rice” doesn’t tell you everything about what’s in it. Depending on the recipe, the label may list milk, wheat gluten or celery, as well as possible traces of other allergens.
What should you check before buying?
For a drinks party, first decide how much you’d like to serve per person. The per-100 g value then lets you compare recipes without confusing the size of the packet with that of a single bite.
| Criteria | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Energy per bite | Check the kcal per 100 g and decide how much rice to put in each serving dish. | If I’m serving several bites during the meal, I want to be able to gauge how much rice each guest is being offered. Around 33% of consumers would put energy per bite first. |
| Quick to serve | Check the reheating method and time given for the exact recipe. | When guests arrive, I’d rather have something I can heat and serve up without cooking a whole dish. Speed would be the main priority for around 27% of consumers. |
| Format and presentation | Compare the net weight of the pouches and have serving spoons or dishes ready for sharing. | If the rice is going on a buffet, I want a format that’s easy to portion, while choosing a texture I enjoy. Around 20% of consumers would prioritise this way of serving. |
| Ingredients and storage | Check the allergens listed for the recipe you buy and its storage instructions after opening. | If guests need to avoid certain ingredients, or food will be served later, I want to know the product’s ingredients and specific instructions. This would be the priority for around 20% of consumers. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Confusing “lower in energy” with “low energy”
A recipe can contain fewer kcal per 100 g than another without meeting the conditions for the “low energy” claim. Under Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, this claim can be used for a solid food only if it contains no more than 40 kcal per 100 g. The five recipes compared here contain between 100 and 186 kcal per 100 g.
To choose between these recipes, compare their values on the same 100 g basis rather than describing any of them as “low energy”.
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Assuming a pouch is one drinks-party portion
The total weight of the packet doesn’t tell you how much rice will end up in each serving dish. The Ben’s Original Mediterranean-style pouch listed by Auchan weighs 220 g, while Lustucru’s tomato rice for pan-frying comes in a 375 g pack.
Decide how much to serve in each dish, then use the kcal per 100 g on the packaging to assess that portion.
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Relying on the word “rice” to check for allergens
A flavoured recipe contains more than just rice. Carrefour’s product information for its mushroom rice, for example, mentions milk and wheat gluten in the flavourings, as well as possible traces of other allergens.
Read the label on the product you buy and clearly tell any affected guests what it contains.
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Leaving cooked rice on the buffet for too long
France’s food safety agency, Anses, says that Bacillus cereus can multiply between 4 °C and 55 °C, and that the cereulide toxin can remain active after reheating. Reheating rice later doesn’t remove the need to store it correctly.
Serve sensible portions, follow the product instructions and avoid leaving cooked rice at buffet temperature for too long.
Brands to consider
Jardin BiO étic
Two cooked rice and vegetable dishes offer a choice of distinct recipes: Thai-style and vegetable and chicken.
- Their Carrefour listings give values of 100 and 125 kcal per 100 g respectively.
- Carrefour listings say these products are no longer available in store. The Thai-style recipe contains milk and celery, among other ingredients, and may contain traces of gluten, soya and sesame.
Ben’s Original
The express Mediterranean-style recipe is a handy hot option when preparation time matters.
- Auchan’s listing gives 164 kcal per 100 g and says it can be reheated in the microwave or in a pan. Follow the timings for your chosen method.
- If you want to serve small portions at a drinks party, you’ll need to divide up the 220 g pouch.
Carrefour
Cooked mushroom rice is another recipe to compare for its flavour and energy value.
- Carrefour’s listing gives a value of 150 kcal per 100 g.
- The listing mentions milk and wheat gluten in the flavourings, possible traces of other allergens and that the product is unavailable.
Lustucru
Tomato rice for pan-frying is for anyone who wants to prepare a dish to share in a frying pan.
- The 375 g pack can be divided between several serving dishes.
- Auchan’s listing gives a value of 186 kcal per 100 g. Allow time to cook it in a pan before serving.
Joybuy products related to this choice
Related products coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
Can these cooked rice dishes be described as “low energy”?
No, not based on the values for the five recipes compared here: they contain between 100 and 186 kcal per 100 g. For a solid food, Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 sets a maximum of 40 kcal per 100 g for this claim. You can compare the recipes with one another without confusing a relatively lower value with this regulated claim.
Should I check the kcal per 100 g or per pouch?
Check the kcal per 100 g first to compare recipes sold in different pack sizes, then consider how much you’ll actually serve. If you’re sharing a pouch between several serving dishes, the weight in each one will help you assess the energy in each portion.
How should I store cooked rice for a buffet?
Follow the storage and reheating instructions for the product you’ve bought rather than applying the timings from another product to every pouch. When serving, avoid leaving cooked rice at buffet temperature for too long: Anses says that Bacillus cereus can multiply between 4 °C and 55 °C and that some toxins can remain active after reheating.
Is Nutri-Score enough to compare the energy in two recipes?
No. To compare the energy in cooked rice intended for small portions accurately, check the kcal per 100 g in the nutrition information, then take the serving weight into account. Also check the ingredients list if they matter to your guests.