People keeping an eye on their sugar intake
You want to compare the ‘of which sugars’ line on tinned mackerel, without assuming that ‘plain’ tells you everything you need to know about its nutritional value.
Who are these options for?
Christmas hosts
You’re deciding between plain fillets to season for canapé toppings and a ready-made sauce recipe for the buffet.
People who pay close attention to ingredients
You need to check the ingredients and any allergen or ‘may contain’ information on each product you’re serving to your guests.
What should you look for?
To compare plain mackerel with mackerel in sauce, start by checking the sugars per 100 g, then look at the ingredients and storage instructions for your planned meal.
| Criteria | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Sugars | Compare the ‘of which sugars’ figures per 100 g on the specific products, whether plain or in sauce. | If my main aim is to keep sugars down, the recipe name alone isn’t enough to help me choose. Around 50% of consumers would prioritise this figure. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients and check the allergen or ‘may contain’ information on the tin you choose. | When I’m preparing a dish for several guests, I want to know exactly what’s in the tin. Around 30% of consumers would prioritise checking this. |
| Serving and storage | Choose between a recipe you can season yourself and a ready-to-serve sauce, then check the instructions for after opening. | For a Christmas buffet, I prefer to plan how I’ll serve the food and what I’ll do with any leftovers. Around 20% of consumers would put this first. |
Mistakes to avoid
-
Assuming a low figure means ‘reduced sugars’
According to France’s National Consumer Institute, this claim requires, among other things, at least 30% less sugar than a similar product. A single nutritional figure doesn’t establish that comparison.
To choose according to your own criteria, compare the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g. Don’t assume that this figure alone means the product carries the claim.
-
Assuming tomato sauce has the same sugar content as a plain recipe
Petit Navire states that its tomato sauce recipe contains 2.7 g of sugars per 100 g and includes sugar, compared with 0 g for its plain steamed fillets.
If you’re considering a tin in sauce for the buffet, compare the nutritional information and ingredients of the two products you’re choosing between.
-
Overlooking ‘may contain’ information on plain mackerel
Carrefour Extra’s plain mackerel fillets may contain traces of mustard and milk.
Check the information on the tin you buy rather than relying on the words ‘plain’ or the details of another recipe.
-
Opening several tins without planning for leftovers
The Saupiquet and Auchan products cited need to be refrigerated and eaten within two days of opening.
Choose the number of tins to suit your meal and follow the storage instructions on each pack.
Brands to compare by product
Petit Navire
The brand’s plain steamed fillets and recipes in sauce let you compare different preparations.
- According to Petit Navire, the plain steamed fillets cited contain 99% mackerel and 0 g of sugars per 100 g.
- The tomato sauce recipe cited contains sugar and has 2.7 g of sugars per 100 g; these figures don’t apply to the whole range.
Saupiquet
The plain products cited are a good fit for recipes you’d like to season yourself.
- According to Saupiquet, the plain fillets cited contain less than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g.
- For the product cited, Saupiquet advises refrigerating it after opening and eating it within two days.
Carrefour Extra
Its plain fillets are worth checking against the ingredients and information on the pack.
- According to Carrefour, the recipe cited contains mackerel, water, salt and herbs.
- This product may contain traces of mustard and milk, so don’t skip the label just because it’s described as ‘plain’.
Auchan
The brand’s plain fillets let you compare individual products rather than treating them as one and the same.
- According to Auchan, the two plain products cited contain less than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g.
- They list different mackerel species, so check the nutritional information on the tin you choose too.
Related Joybuy products
Related products coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
Is plain mackerel always lower in sugars than mackerel in sauce?
No, you need to compare specific products. The plain fillets cited by Petit Navire, Saupiquet and Auchan contain 0 g or less than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g, while Petit Navire’s tomato sauce recipe cited contains 2.7 g per 100 g.
Can plain mackerel be described as ‘reduced sugars’?
Not on the basis of its sugar content alone. France’s National Consumer Institute says that the ‘reduced sugars’ claim requires, among other things, at least 30% less sugar than a similar product. Check what comparison supports the claim.
How long can you keep a tin after opening?
Follow the instructions on the tin you buy. For the products cited, Saupiquet and Auchan advise refrigerating them and eating them within two days of opening.
Should you check the allergen information on plain mackerel?
Yes, check the packaging of the product you choose. The Carrefour Extra plain fillets cited may contain traces of mustard and milk, despite the name of the recipe.