When buying couscous in larger quantities, don’t assume that the claim “reduced in sugars” is justified by a single nutritional value. Under European Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, this claim requires a reduction of at least 30% compared with a similar product. Then compare the values per 100 g for products presented in the same state, and choose a pack size you’ll be able to use. The “of which sugars” figure doesn’t show the total carbohydrate content.
If this claim is a deciding factor for you, find out which similar product is used for comparison. Under European Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, the reduction required for this claim is at least 30%; a single figure on the label isn’t enough.
Whether you’re making side dishes, salads or several meals, check the pack weight, best-before date and how much you’ll realistically be able to use. Carrefour and E.Leclerc product listings, for example, feature 1 kg packs.
If you’re looking for an organic option, check its ingredients list and nutritional information. If you need to avoid gluten, check the exact product: the wheat couscous products described by Carrefour and Tipiak contain durum wheat semolina.
First, distinguish the “reduced in sugars” claim from the “of which sugars” figure. Then choose a pack size that suits how you’ll use it and check the ingredients of the product you select.
| Criterion | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| “Reduced in sugars” claim | Look for the similar product used as a benchmark and the reduction being claimed. Also compare the “of which sugars” figure per 100 g, with both products in the same state. | If I’m specifically looking for “reduced in sugars” couscous, a single figure isn’t enough to confirm the claim; around 40% of consumers would make this check a priority. |
| Pack size you can use | Check the net weight, best-before date and how much storage space you have for the packs. | If I prepare couscous regularly, I want to buy an amount I can use before its best-before date; around 40% of consumers would prioritise pack size. |
| Ingredients | Read the ingredients list and allergen information. Check the fibre content per 100 g if that matters to you. | If I’m looking for an organic option or need to avoid gluten, the ingredients matter more than the pack size; around 20% of consumers would make this their main criterion. |
E.Leclerc lists 2.3 g of sugars per 100 g for its Comptoir du Grain couscous. On its own, this figure doesn’t prove a reduction compared with a similar product under European Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006.
If the “reduced in sugars” claim is important to you, look for the comparison that supports it rather than relying solely on the “of which sugars” figure.
E.Leclerc’s product listing for Comptoir du Grain couscous gives 2.3 g of sugars and 71.5 g of available carbohydrates per 100 g. These figures don’t mean the same thing.
If both values matter to you, check the “carbohydrates” and “of which sugars” lines on the same label.
A figure per 100 g of dry couscous and one per 100 g of rehydrated couscous don’t describe the product in the same state, so the comparison could be misleading.
Before comparing two labels, check whether the figures refer to the dry or prepared product, and note the net weight of each pack.
The durum wheat semolina couscous products described by Carrefour and Tipiak aren’t suitable if you’re looking for a gluten-free product.
Look for a product explicitly labelled gluten-free, and check the ingredients and allergen information on the pack you buy.
Carrefour lists a 1 kg pack of Tipiak medium-grain couscous. Tipiak Restauration also offers organic wholemeal couscous in a 5 kg sack for catering use.
Carrefour lists 1 kg packs of its Sensation and Classic medium-grain couscous.
E.Leclerc lists, among other options, Comptoir du Grain medium-grain couscous and an Eco+ product in 1 kg packs.
Auchan lists organic semi-wholemeal couscous in a 500 g pack.
Aldi lists medium-grain couscous in a 1 kg pack.
No. A figure on the “of which sugars” line doesn’t prove that the sugar content has been reduced. For the “reduced in sugars” claim, European Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 requires a reduction of at least 30% compared with a similar product.
Compare their “of which sugars” figures per 100 g, making sure both products are in the same state, such as dry. A figure for rehydrated couscous can’t be compared directly with one for a dry product.
No. The durum wheat semolina couscous products described by Carrefour and Tipiak aren’t suitable if you need to avoid gluten. For another product, check the ingredients, gluten-free claim and allergen information on the packaging.
The 5 kg sack of organic wholemeal couscous listed by Tipiak Restauration is intended for catering use. Before considering this quantity for your household, check how you can access and store the product, and whether you’ll be able to use it before its best-before date.