Anyone keeping an eye on sugar in recipes
You want to check the stated sugar content and spot any sugar in the ingredients before choosing a flavour for your sardines.
Who is this guide for?
Anyone putting together quick meals
You’re planning to serve the sardines in a salad, on toast or with a starchy side, and want to choose between a simple recipe and one that’s already seasoned.
Anyone who prefers sardines without bones
You’re looking for a tin that’s easier to serve straight away. Check the ‘boneless’ claim separately from the sugar information.
What should you look for first?
Start with the recipe and the sugar content per 100 g. Then compare the tins by oil, salt and how easy they are to serve, based on what matters for your meal.
| What to check | What to look for | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Sugars and ingredients | Compare the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g and look for sugar in the ingredients list, particularly for flavoured recipes. | If I want to season my sardines myself and avoid choosing a recipe that contains sugar, I check the ingredients before adding a tin to my basket; around 42% of consumers would put checking sugar first. |
| Oil, salt and recipe | Compare the fat and salt per 100 g, as well as the liquid the sardines are packed in. | When I choose a sardine recipe in oil for its flavour, I also want to consider its nutritional content; around 33% of consumers would prioritise this trade-off. |
| Serving and bones | Check whether the sardines are boneless and look at the drained weight if you’re comparing how much fish you can serve. | When I’m quickly topping a piece of toast or making a salad, I prefer to know whether the sardines have bones and how much I’ll be able to serve. Convenience would come first for around 25% of consumers. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Assuming 0 g of sugars means the recipe is light in every other way
An olive oil Connétable option listed by Auchan shows 0 g of sugars, but also contains 12 g of fat and 0.9 g of salt per 100 g. So sugar content alone doesn’t tell you everything about a tin.
Compare sugars, fat, salt and energy per 100 g, according to what matters to you.
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Assuming a lemon-flavoured recipe contains no sugar
The Carrefour Classic’ lemon and basil product page lists sugar in the ingredients and states 0.59 g of added sugars per 100 g.
Read the ingredients list and ‘of which sugars’ figure for the exact product, rather than relying on the recipe name.
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Choosing without checking your supermarket’s product page
Auchan says that the ingredients of some products may vary depending on the selected collection point and the date of purchase.
Before placing your order, check the ingredients and nutritional information shown for your store, then check the label when your shopping arrives.
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Forgetting what to do after opening
How long a tin keeps after opening depends on the instructions for the product you buy. The Auchan product page for one Connétable tin says to refrigerate it and eat it within two days.
Follow the instructions on your tin and plan your meal accordingly.
Brands to compare
Connétable
Connétable offers olive oil sardines, including ‘Pêche du jour’ and boneless options listed by Auchan.
- The Auchan product page for ‘Pêche du jour’ states 0 g of sugars per 100 g.
- That same product contains 12 g of fat and 0.9 g of salt per 100 g. These figures don’t apply to every Connétable tin.
Carrefour Classic’
This range includes a lemon and basil sardine recipe listed by Carrefour.
- The flavoured recipe gives you a ready-seasoned option.
- The Carrefour product page for the lemon and basil option lists sugar in the ingredients and 0.59 g of added sugars per 100 g. Check the exact recipe you’re interested in.
Auchan
Auchan offers olive oil sardines, as well as a recipe with sunflower oil and chilli.
- The Auchan product page for the sunflower oil and chilli recipe states 0 g of sugars per 100 g.
- Auchan notes that the ingredients of some products may vary depending on the collection point and date of purchase. Check your local product page and the label.
Saupiquet
Carrefour offers Saupiquet sardine fillets, including an oil-free lemon and basil recipe, in its boneless range.
- The ‘boneless’ label helps you find products that suit your serving needs.
- To choose based on sugar content, check the nutritional information and ingredients for the product available from your supermarket.
Sardines to compare on Joybuy
These sardines in water or olive oil give you a choice of simple recipes, sizes and styles, including whole sardines and fillets. To choose based on sugar content, check the ingredients and nutritional information for the product you’re considering.
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Connétable boneless sardines in water, 98 g
For a quick meal with sardines in water, this 98 g tin offers a boneless option. Check the ingredients and the ‘of which sugars’ figure if this is important to you.
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Connétable sardines in extra virgin olive oil, 140 g
If you prefer sardines in olive oil, compare this 140 g tin with your other options for sugars, fat and salt per 100 g.
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Connétable sardines in extra virgin olive oil, 135 g
If you’re looking for sardines in olive oil in a 135 g tin, compare its label with the 140 g tin. Don’t assume their nutritional values are the same.
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El Tato small sardines 16/20u in olive oil, 115/81 g
If you’re interested in smaller sardines, note that this 16/20u option comes in a 115/81 g tin and is different from other sardines in olive oil. Also check the sugars and salt per 100 g.
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El Tato sardine fillets in olive oil, 115/81 g
If you’d rather serve fillets than whole sardines, this olive oil option comes in a 115/81 g tin. Read the ingredients and compare the nutritional values per 100 g.
Frequently asked questions
Do sardines ‘in natural juices’ always contain 0 g of sugars?
No. ‘In natural juices’ describes a recipe, not a guaranteed nutritional value. One product listed by Carrefour shows 0 g of sugars per 100 g. Check the ‘of which sugars’ figure and the ingredients on the tin you choose.
Should you avoid lemon sardines if you’re watching your sugar intake?
Not necessarily: compare the exact recipe. Carrefour Classic’ lemon and basil sardines listed by Carrefour contain sugar and state 0.59 g of added sugars per 100 g. Check the ingredients and total sugar content to decide whether they meet your needs.
How should you store sardines once the tin is open?
First, follow the instructions on the tin you’ve bought. A Connétable product page listed by Auchan says to refrigerate the sardines after opening and eat them within two days. Don’t assume the same guidance applies to another product.
What information should you check on a tin of sardines?
Check the product name, ingredients, nutritional information, net quantity and date shown on the tin. The DGCCRF notes that this information is part of the labelling required for pre-packed food sold in France. Also check the allergen information.