When choosing a tinned soup as part of a vegan shop, first check the packaging and ingredients for the exact recipe, then compare the salt content per 100 ml of similar soups. A ‘reduced salt’ claim doesn’t guarantee that a product is vegan: the Auchan and Carrefour listings show dairy ingredients in the Liebig and Ferme d’Anchin products mentioned here, while the La Potagère soup described as vegan makes no reduced-salt claim.
A vegetable recipe isn’t necessarily vegan: some soups labelled as reduced in salt contain milk, butter or cream. By contrast, the Auchan listing describes La Potagère’s green vegetable soup as suitable for a vegan diet.
You’ll need to check that the ingredients are vegan while comparing nutritional values on a like-for-like basis. The DGCCRF says that nutrition information per 100 g or 100 ml makes it easier to compare products.
A carton of liquid soup, a tin and a sachet to reconstitute all need different preparation. Check the packaging, instructions for storing the product after opening and the exact recipe. Don’t assume a soup is vegan or lower in salt just because of its format.
When shopping for vegan soup, first check the ingredients and decide which format you want. Then compare the salt content on a like-for-like basis. Preparation and availability can help you choose between the remaining options.
| Criterion | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Vegan ingredients | Check for a vegan claim and read the ingredients for the exact recipe, particularly to see whether it contains milk, cream or butter. | I want to avoid animal ingredients, even if the soup is described as a vegetable recipe; around 34% of consumers make this their top priority. |
| Salt content | Compare the ‘salt’ value per 100 ml for similar liquid soups. For powdered soup, use the value given for the reconstituted product. | I’m looking for a recipe that suits my vegan shop and want to compare its salt content without relying on a single pack claim; around 33% of consumers prioritise this criterion. |
| Format and preparation | Decide whether you want a tin, a carton that’s ready to heat or a sachet to reconstitute. Check the instructions for storing the product after opening. | If I want soup that’s ready to heat, a product that needs water and cooking won’t meet the same need. Format is the top priority for around 20% of consumers. |
| Local availability | Check whether the product is available at your local shop, and read the ingredients and nutrition information for any alternative. | I’d rather find another suitable recipe before setting off if my first choice isn’t available; around 13% of consumers prioritise this. |
The Auchan and Carrefour listings show that the Liebig and Ferme d’Anchin recipes mentioned contain dairy ingredients, despite their reduced-salt claims.
Check the ingredients and salt content separately for the product you’re planning to buy.
Different portion sizes and volumes can make this comparison misleading. The DGCCRF explains that nutrition information is given per 100 g or 100 ml to make products easier to compare.
For two similar liquid soups, check the salt value per 100 ml. For a dried soup, check the value for the reconstituted product.
A vegetable soup may also contain cream, milk or butter. Conversely, the La Potagère soup described as vegan on the Auchan listing doesn’t carry a ‘reduced salt’ claim.
Check the ingredients, reduced-salt claims and packaging separately.
Availability can vary from shop to shop. Another soup from the same brand won’t necessarily have the same ingredients or salt content.
Check local availability and carry out the same ingredient and salt checks for any alternative.
The Auchan listing describes its organic blended green vegetable soup in a carton as suitable for a vegan diet.
The range includes soups in cartons with claims such as ‘less salt’ or ‘reduced salt’.
The Carrefour listing describes its organic 8-vegetable soup as having 30% less salt than the category average.
The Carrefour listing describes its Minestrone with olive oil as a vegan dried soup, to be prepared with 1 L of water for four bowls.
E.Leclerc offers, among other products, an instant creamy vegetable soup to reconstitute.
No. Salt content and ingredients are two separate criteria. The Auchan and Carrefour listings show dairy ingredients in the Liebig and Ferme d’Anchin recipes mentioned, respectively. Always check the exact recipe.
For two similar liquid soups, check the salt value per 100 ml. The DGCCRF explains that nutrition information is presented on this basis. For a dried soup, check the value given for the reconstituted product and follow the preparation instructions.
A carton, tin and sachet are different types of packaging. If you’re specifically looking for a tin or jar, check the listing and packaging rather than relying on a general soup category.
Follow the instructions for the recipe you’ve bought. The Auchan listing for La Potagère’s green vegetable soup says to refrigerate it after opening and consume it within two days. Don’t assume the same applies to another product.