If you have a short break
A ready-filled individual taco means less assembly during your break. Check the packaging for storage conditions and any reheating instructions.
Which format is right for you?
If you’re preparing several lunches
A kit or tortillas with fillings lets you organise your portions in advance. Remember to allow for the ingredients you’ll need and the preparation time: tortillas on their own don’t make a complete taco.
If you’re considering a frozen product
A frozen dish may need to be divided into several portions. Before taking it to work, check the pack size, whether you can transport and store it chilled, and the preparation instructions.
What should you check before choosing?
First, work out whether you’re looking at a ready-filled meal, a kit to complete or a frozen dish. Each requires different preparation to make it a suitable lunch at work.
| Consideration | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Portions and ingredients | How many portions you can actually make; whether you need to add fillings to a kit or tortillas. | If I’m preparing several lunches, I want to know how many portions I can make with the ingredients provided. Getting the amount I can use is the top priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Preparation time | Whether the product is ready-filled or needs assembling; any preparation required before your break. | When I have a short break, I want a meal I don’t have to fill at work. Preparation time comes first for around 36% of consumers. |
| Transport and storage | Storage conditions shown on the packaging; facilities available at work. | If I’m taking a chilled product with me and keeping it until lunchtime, I need suitable transport and storage. This is the main consideration for around 21% of consumers. |
| Allergens and ingredients | Allergens and ingredients on the label; nutritional information per 100 g if you’re comparing similar products. | If I need to avoid certain ingredients, I want to check the details of the product I’m buying. Allergens and ingredients are the priority for around 14% of consumers. |
Common mix-ups to avoid
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Assuming a kit makes a complete lunch
The Old El Paso kit featured by Auchan contains wraps and spice mixes, but the recipe calls for a separate filling.
Before portioning out your lunches, make a list of the ingredients you’ll need and how many portions you plan to prepare.
The recipe featured by Auchan includes chicken, Emmental, crème fraîche and an avocado.
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Confusing a family-sized frozen dish with an individual taco
Picard’s frozen chicken fajitas come in a 910 g box, serving two to three people. This isn’t an individual taco.
Check the number of portions, storage instructions and what you’ll do with any leftovers.
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Overlooking the journey for a chilled product
A chilled or frozen product must be transported and stored in line with the instructions on its packaging.
Anses recommends buying chilled products at the end of your shopping trip, using an insulated bag and keeping transport time to a minimum. Then check what storage facilities are available at work.
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Relying on the recipe name alone to check for allergens
Ingredients vary from one product to another, so the recipe name is no substitute for reading the label.
Check the label on the product you buy. The DGCCRF says that allergenic ingredients must be highlighted on food labels.
Brands and ranges to know
Old El Paso
The French-style taco kit featured by Auchan is listed as serving three to four people and includes six wraps and two spice mixes.
- A kit to prepare at home and divide into several portions.
- The recipe needs extra fillings, so the kit on its own isn’t a complete lunch.
Carrefour Bon Appétit !
The Carrefour product reviewed is a ready-filled chicken and bacon taco, sold in a 185 g portion.
- An individual portion, so you don’t need to fill a tortilla at work.
- Check the label on the product you buy for allergen, storage and preparation information.
Tables du Monde
The wheat tortillas featured by E.Leclerc come in a 320 g pack containing eight tortillas to fill.
- The pack gives you several tortillas and lets you choose the fillings.
- These are wheat-based tortillas, not complete tacos, so you’ll still need to prepare the fillings.
Tortillas with fillings on Joybuy
If you’re preparing tacos in advance, this selection focuses on tortillas to fill. It doesn’t include ready-filled individual tacos or frozen dishes.
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NAGUAL Whole Grain Corn Tortillas 200 g
These corn tortillas are ready to fill, making them a good choice if you prepare your lunch ingredients before you leave. Check the storage and preparation instructions on the packaging so you can plan how to transport and use them at work.
Frequently asked questions
How do I compare an individual taco with a kit to complete?
Compare what each pack actually lets you prepare: a ready-filled portion on one hand, tortillas and ingredients to add on the other. The Old El Paso kit recipe featured by Auchan includes chicken, Emmental, crème fraîche and an avocado.
Can I take a frozen product to work?
Only if you can meet its transport, storage and preparation requirements. Anses recommends buying frozen foods at the end of your shopping trip, carrying them in an insulated bag and keeping the journey as short as possible. Also check the product instructions and the facilities available at work.
How can I check the allergens in a prepared taco?
Read the label on the product you’re buying, even if you already know the brand. The DGCCRF says that allergenic ingredients must be highlighted on food labels.
Is the Nutri-Score enough to help me choose a lunch?
No. Manger Bouger explains that Nutri-Score is calculated per 100 g or 100 ml of product. It doesn’t replace checking the portion size, ingredients, allergens and storage conditions.