When choosing ready-to-eat, low-salt lentils as part of a gluten-free shop, first check that the specific product you’re buying is labelled ‘gluten-free’ if you need to avoid gluten strictly. Then compare the ‘salt’ value per 100 g, making sure the figures are based on the same measure. Jardin BiO étic declares 0.02 g of salt per 100 g of drained product, but warns that traces of gluten may be present. Prosain declares less than 0.1 g per 100 g, but this figure alone does not confirm that the product is gluten-free. So these examples don’t allow you to choose based on salt content alone.
The fact that a product is made with lentils doesn’t mean it’s suitable if you need to avoid gluten strictly. You need to be able to check the ‘gluten-free’ information and any warnings on the packaging of the product you buy.
You’re looking for ready-to-serve lentils with a declared salt content that meets your needs, perhaps so you can season them yourself. The value per 100 g and the basis for the calculation are more useful than a recipe name such as ‘plain’.
You want a ready-cooked base for a salad, soup or side dish. The ingredients list, pack size and storage instructions after opening can help you choose a product that suits the portions you plan to make.
If you need to avoid gluten strictly, start by checking this information for the specific product. Then compare the salt content on a like-for-like basis, before choosing a recipe and pack size to suit your meals.
| Criterion | What to check | Who it’s for |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free information | Check for a ‘gluten-free’ label, allergen information and any warnings about traces on the product you’re buying. | If I need to avoid gluten strictly, the fact that a recipe contains lentils isn’t enough: I look for clear information about the product. Around 42% of consumers would put this evidence first. |
| Salt content | Read the ‘salt’ value per 100 g and check whether it applies to the drained product. Distinguish ‘no added salt’ from a claim that the product has a reduced salt content. | I want to limit salt while choosing my own seasoning. Around 42% of consumers would prioritise the declared salt content. |
| Recipe and pack size | Check the ingredients, the amount you’ll use and the storage instructions after opening. | For a quick salad or side dish, I prefer a pack size that suits the portions I plan to serve. Around 16% of consumers would put this convenience first. |
A recipe made mainly with lentils doesn’t confirm that a product is gluten-free. Bonduelle warns that its 530 g Plain Lentils in Juice may contain cereals containing gluten; Auchan warns that its 530 g Lentils may contain traces.
If you need to avoid gluten strictly, check for a ‘gluten-free’ label, allergen information and any warnings on the packaging of the product you’re buying.
These terms don’t mean the same thing. A recipe with no added salt doesn’t, on its own, allow you to compare it with similar tinned products. Nutrition claims are regulated under EU law.
Read the exact wording and check the ‘salt’ value per 100 g before comparing two products.
Jardin BiO étic declares 0.02 g of salt per 100 g of drained product. You can’t make a direct comparison with a figure calculated on a different basis.
Check the unit and basis given on each label before deciding that one product contains less salt.
Storage times vary by product. Jardin BiO étic says to keep its product chilled and eat it within two days of opening, while Prosain advises consuming it promptly.
Choose a pack size that suits the portions you plan to serve and follow the instructions for the product you buy.
A large jar could lead to waste if you can’t finish it within the stated time.
The brand offers organic green lentils in a jar, cooked with small vegetables and described as ‘no added salt’.
Its 660 g Plain Green Lentils, No Added Salt, make a handy base to season according to the recipe you’re preparing.
The range includes ready-to-eat lentils, such as its 530 g Plain Lentils in Juice.
No: ‘no added salt’ tells you about the recipe, not whether it’s gluten-free. Jardin BiO étic warns that its no-added-salt lentils may contain traces of gluten. If you need to avoid gluten strictly, check for a ‘gluten-free’ label and any warnings on the product you’re buying.
Check that the claim applies to the product and pack size you’re buying. Regulation (EU) No 828/2014 governs ‘gluten-free’ information. The fact that lentils aren’t cereals doesn’t replace this information on a prepared tinned product.
Compare the ‘salt’ value per 100 g, checking whether both figures apply to the drained product or to the product as sold. Jardin BiO étic states 0.02 g per 100 g drained, while Prosain declares less than 0.1 g per 100 g. Bear in mind that these figures use different bases before ranking the products.
Follow the instructions for the product you’ve bought rather than assuming the same timeframe applies to every brand. Jardin BiO étic says to keep its product chilled and eat it within two days of opening; Prosain recommends refrigeration and prompt consumption.