People looking for a “sugar-free” option
The exact wording matters more to you than a similar claim such as “no added sugar”. Check the wording on the product you’re considering, then look at its sugars per 100 g.
Who are these options for?
People avoiding added sugars
You’re happy with sugars naturally present in fruit, but want a recipe without added sweetening ingredients. A fruity snack that meets this requirement won’t necessarily be a fruit jelly.
People choosing a portionable confectionery treat
You prefer traditional fruit jelly for its flavours or presentation. The ingredients, nutrition information, pack size and allergens can help you choose between products.
What sets the options apart?
Start by deciding whether your priority is avoiding sugars, avoiding added sugars or choosing traditional confectionery: these criteria don’t point to the same product.
| Criterion | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| No sugars | The exact wording “sugar-free” and the “of which sugars” value per 100 g. | If only an option labelled “sugar-free” meets my needs, a recipe that is simply “no added sugar” isn’t enough. Around 30% of consumers put this distinction first. |
| No added sugars | The claim on the pack, the ingredients used to sweeten the product and sugars per 100 g. | I’m happy with sugars naturally present in fruit, but want to avoid ingredients added to sweeten the recipe. This is the top priority for around 50% of consumers. |
| Traditional confectionery | The ingredients, sugars per 100 g, pack size and allergens for the specific product. | If I’m buying fruit jelly as a gift or to portion out, I prioritise the confectionery while checking what it contains. Around 20% of consumers prioritise this choice. |
What should you look out for?
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Confusing “no added sugar” with “sugar-free”
EU Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 sets a limit of 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g of product for the “sugar-free” claim. A recipe labelled “no added sugar” may still contain sugars naturally present in fruit.
If you have a strict requirement, look for “sugar-free” on the product and check the nutrition information per 100 g.
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Assuming Nutri-Score is compulsory
In France, the Ministry of the Economy says that this logo is optional. The DGCCRF states that a nutrition declaration is generally compulsory for prepacked foods.
Compare the nutrition values and ingredients whether or not the Nutri-Score is shown.
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Assuming organic or sports products are low in sugars
The Carrefour Bio fruit jelly featured by the retailer contains cane sugar and rice syrup. Gerblé lists sugar and glucose syrup in its Pâtes de fruits Sport product.
Check the ingredients for the specific product and flavour before considering it as a sugar-free option.
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Overlooking allergens in a Sport product
Gerblé lists gluten and wheat starch in its Pâtes de fruits Sport product.
If you need to avoid an allergen, check the information on the exact pack before buying.
Brands to know
Carrefour Bio
A traditional organic fruit jelly to consider as confectionery, rather than as a “sugar-free” option.
- Carrefour’s product information lists fruit purées and pectins.
- It also lists organic cane sugar and organic rice syrup; check the ingredients for the product you choose.
Gerblé
Its Pâtes de fruits Sport product is marketed for use during exercise, not as sugar-free confectionery.
- Gerblé provides a sugars value for this product, making it easier to assess: 66 g per 100 g.
- The recipe lists sugar, glucose syrup and wheat starch; gluten is identified as an allergen.
Andros Sport
A range designed for sport by Andros; Carrefour lists Andros Sport fruit jellies.
- The sports positioning makes it easy to identify the use suggested by the brand.
- This positioning alone doesn’t tell you how much sugar is in your chosen flavour: check its nutrition information.
A fruity option on Joybuy
This selection features a no-added-sugar fruit purée pouch for anyone considering a fruity snack. Its texture and product type differ from traditional fruit jelly, and it isn’t suitable if you’re specifically looking for a “sugar-free” product.
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POM’POTES apple and strawberry, no added sugar, 48 × 90 g
A fruit purée pouch for anyone looking to avoid added sugars and who prefers this format to fruit jelly.
The pack contains 48 pouches of 90 g. “No added sugar” doesn’t mean “sugar-free”: check the claim and the “of which sugars” value on the pack you receive.
Frequently asked questions
Is Nutri-Score compulsory on fruit jellies in France?
No. The Ministry of the Economy says that Nutri-Score is optional. The DGCCRF states that a nutrition declaration is generally compulsory for prepacked foods. Use it to compare sugars on the same 100 g basis.
Does “no added sugar” mean “sugar-free”?
No. Under EU Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, the “sugar-free” claim allows no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g of product. “No added sugar” does not exclude sugars naturally present in fruit.
How can you compare two products without a Nutri-Score?
Compare the “of which sugars” value per 100 g, then check the ingredients and allergens. If you’re looking for a no-added-sugar recipe, check the claim on each product rather than relying on its name alone.
Is a Sport fruit jelly necessarily sugar-free?
No. Gerblé lists 66 g of sugars per 100 g for its Pâtes de fruits Sport product, which contains sugar and glucose syrup. The word “Sport” doesn’t replace checking the nutrition information for each product.