When choosing tinned soup as part of a gluten-free shop, check the ‘gluten-free’ label and the ingredients list for the exact product before comparing pack sizes and portions. A recipe that lists wheat is not suitable for this selection; a ‘may contain traces of wheat’ warning should not be treated as a ‘gluten-free’ label either.
You’re looking for a ‘gluten-free’ label on the specific soup you’re considering, and you also check its ingredients and any ‘may contain’ warnings. Carrefour’s product pages for Royco soups show why croutons need to be checked.
You check the pack size and number of portions before choosing between an individual sachet and a family-sized carton, without letting the format take the place of checking for gluten.
You prefer something quick and easy to prepare, but still check the toppings, allergens and storage instructions after opening. Auchan’s product pages for Liebig soups include warnings about possible traces of wheat.
Start by checking the gluten information for the exact product, then consider how much soup you need for your meals. The DGCCRF reminds shoppers that allergens must be highlighted in the ingredients list. The European Commission explains that Implementing Regulation (EU) No 828/2014 sets out the rules for claims relating to the absence or reduced presence of gluten.
| What to check | Details to look for | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten information | The ‘gluten-free’ label, any wheat-containing ingredients and any ‘may contain traces’ warnings on the exact product. | When I shop gluten-free, I want to know what’s actually in the soup, even if the recipe seems plant-based; this would be the top priority for around 50% of shoppers. |
| Pack size and portions | The volume and number of portions shown, so you can choose an amount that suits the meals you have planned. | If I’m sharing a carton, I want to know how many portions it contains before choosing a size; this would be the main concern for around 30% of shoppers. |
| Preparation and storage | How to prepare the soup you’ve chosen and how to store it after opening. | For a quick meal, I’m looking for a format that’s easy to prepare and leaves me able to manage any leftovers; around 20% of shoppers would put this use first. |
Carrefour’s product pages for Royco Potiron Croûtons Nature and 10 Légumes et Croûtons soups list wheat flour. Its page for Carrefour’s vegetable soup also lists vermicelli made with durum wheat.
Read the full ingredients list, including the ingredients in any toppings, before choosing a recipe for a gluten-free shop.
A claim about preservatives tells you nothing about whether a soup contains gluten. Auchan’s product pages for Liebig soups include a warning about possible traces of wheat, while the Royco recipes mentioned above list wheat in their ingredients.
Look specifically for information about gluten and check the allergens for the product you choose.
An individual sachet and a family-sized carton won’t suit the same number of meals. Leftovers matter too if the soup needs to be refrigerated after opening.
Compare the pack size and the number of portions shown, then read the storage instructions for that specific product.
A gluten-free range doesn’t mean that a particular soup is labelled gluten-free. Lidl also says that its gluten-free products are available as part of special buys, rather than as a permanent range.
Check the packaging for the exact soup and make sure it’s available at the store where you plan to buy it.
The brand offers a range of dried soups in sachets. When shopping gluten-free, the ingredients in the toppings deserve just as much attention as those in the soup itself.
Choose carton soups recipe by recipe, checking allergen information and storage instructions after opening.
The retailer publishes ingredients lists that let you check a specific soup rather than relying on its name.
The retailer offers soups, but a category page alone won’t tell you whether a particular recipe contains gluten.
According to its customer service team, the retailer’s gluten-free range is available as part of special buys.
No. They may contain wheat in the vermicelli, croutons or flour. Carrefour’s product pages for the Royco soups mentioned above list wheat flour, while its page for Carrefour’s vegetable soup lists vermicelli made with durum wheat. Check the ingredients for the exact recipe and pack size.
It’s a claim covered by European rules on information relating to the absence of gluten. The European Commission says that Implementing Regulation (EU) No 828/2014 sets the requirements for these claims. Check the label on the specific soup you choose, along with its other allergen information.
No. This precautionary warning is not the same as a ‘gluten-free’ claim. Auchan’s product pages for the two Liebig soups reviewed warn that they may contain traces of wheat (gluten), so don’t treat them as products explicitly labelled gluten-free.
Follow the instructions on the carton you’ve chosen. Auchan’s product pages for the two Liebig soups mentioned above say to refrigerate them after opening and consume within 48 hours; this guidance may not apply to other soups.