To prepare several office lunches, choose a 45–50 cl pot of crème fraîche if you plan to use it after opening and can keep it chilled. A 30 cl pouch or a multipack of small cartons means you only need to open a small amount at a time. However, the cartons mentioned here are not necessarily crème fraîche, so check the product name, texture and storage instructions.
If you cook your lunches in advance, plan how you’ll keep the crème fraîche and any dishes that need refrigeration chilled on the way to work and at the office. Anses advises keeping transport time to a minimum and using an insulated bag for chilled food.
A 45–50 cl pot may suit you if you’re preparing several meals or using the crème fraîche in recipes over a short period. Before opening it, make sure you can store and use the remainder according to the instructions on the packaging.
A pack of 3 × 20 cl cartons lets you open one at a time. However, check the product name for each item: the formats mentioned include a long-life cream and a dairy preparation, which shouldn’t be confused with a pot of thick crème fraîche.
When choosing, first check where the product will be kept chilled, then consider how much you’ll use after opening, and finally check its product name and texture.
| Criterion | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Storage and transport | Check the storage instructions and plan suitable transport, as well as access to a fridge for products that need to stay chilled. | When I take my lunch with me, I want to store the crème fraîche properly until I use it. Around 42% of consumers make this their top priority. |
| Amount to use | Compare the total volume with the size of each individual pack and the portions you plan to prepare. | When cooking several lunches, I want enough crème fraîche without opening more containers than necessary. Around 33% of consumers put this need first. |
| Product and recipe | Read the exact product name, texture, fat content and ingredients list. | If my recipe calls for thick cream, I don’t want to choose a pourable dairy product based on pack size alone. Around 25% of consumers prioritise how well a product suits their recipe. |
Cartons of the same size can contain products with different names, textures and fat contents. The Président long-life and Elle & Vire 4% products mentioned here shouldn’t automatically be treated as thick crème fraîche without checking the details.
Read the full product name and ingredients for the exact item before choosing a format for your recipe.
A 45–50 cl pot can suit several portions, but the date printed on an unopened product doesn’t tell you how long it will keep once opened. The French Ministry of the Economy points out that a use-by date no longer applies in the same way after a pack has been opened.
Plan which meals you’ll use the remainder in, and follow the storage instructions on the pot.
If a product needs to be refrigerated, choosing a container doesn’t remove the need to plan how you’ll transport and store it at work.
Anses advises keeping transport time to a minimum, using an insulated bag and putting the relevant food back in the fridge promptly.
The range mentioned includes a 45 cl pot of thick crème fraîche with 30% fat, a 30 cl pouch of thick crème fraîche with 25% fat, and a long-life multipack of 3 × 20 cl cartons with 25% fat.
The products mentioned are a 50 cl carton of UHT whipping cream with 35% fat and a multipack of 3 × 20 cl cartons of a pourable dairy preparation with 4% fat.
The products mentioned include 50 cl pots of thick crème fraîche: Carrefour Classic’ full-fat with 30% fat and Carrefour Bio with 30% fat.
No. The products mentioned have different names and textures. Before replacing thick crème fraîche with a carton, check the full product name, texture and ingredients of the item you’re considering.
A pot that needs to stay chilled requires suitable transport and storage. Anses advises keeping transport time to a minimum and using an insulated bag. Also check that a fridge will be available at your destination.
Follow the storage conditions and time limit stated on the packaging for the product you buy. The French Ministry of the Economy points out that the use-by date printed for an unopened product isn’t enough on its own once the pack has been opened.
Check the ingredients list and allergen information on the exact packaging before buying and using the product. The Carrefour Classic’ product mentioned is described as containing pasteurised crème fraîche and lactic cultures; this composition shouldn’t be assumed for the other products.