Anyone comparing sugar levels
When preparing lunch at home with a tin of mackerel, you’d rather compare the ‘of which sugars’ line for each recipe than rely on a claim on the packaging.
Who are these lunches for?
Anyone putting a meal together quickly
You want to add the mackerel straight to toast, a salad or a starchy side. A sauce or topping may suit you, as long as you check its ingredients and nutritional values too.
Anyone saving some for later
If one tin is meant to cover two lunches, refrigeration instructions and how soon you need to eat the contents after opening are important when choosing a size.
What should you compare?
To choose between plain mackerel, mackerel in sauce or a recipe with added ingredients, compare the sugars per 100 g first. Then choose the level of preparation that suits your lunch. Salt, ingredients and storage instructions can help you decide between two similar recipes.
| Criterion | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Declared sugars | Compare ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g and the ingredients list. A low value does not, by itself, mean ‘reduced sugar’. | If I want to choose my tin based on sugar levels first, I compare plain recipes with seasoned versions; around 42% of consumers might put this criterion first. |
| A meal that’s ready to put together | Choose between a plain option and a recipe that’s already seasoned. Check the net weight and nutritional values for the recipe you choose. | When I’m short on time to put lunch together, having a sauce or topping in the tin matters more; nearly 33% of consumers might prioritise this convenience. |
| Salt, ingredients and leftovers | Compare the salt per 100 g, check the allergen information and follow the instructions for after opening. | If I’m saving some for later or need to check the ingredients, this information matters more than a quick meal; around 25% of consumers might make it their top criterion. |
Things to bear in mind
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Looking only for the ‘reduced sugar’ claim
This keyword is no substitute for comparing labels: Petit Navire lists 0 g of sugars per 100 g for its plain steamed fillets and 2.7 g per 100 g for its tomato sauce recipe, which contains sugar.
Look for the recipe you’re interested in, then check ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g and the ingredients list. Don’t assume that a low value means the product carries a ‘reduced sugar’ claim.
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Assuming all plain recipes contain the same amount of salt
The values per 100 g differ: Auchan plain fillets contain 0.9 g, Petit Navire plain steamed fillets contain 1.0 g, and Saupiquet plain fillets contain 1.2 g.
If salt matters to you, compare the value on the same per-100 g basis for the specific products you’re considering.
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Planning two lunches without checking the after-opening instructions
For the Auchan and Saupiquet plain products featured here, the instructions say to refrigerate after opening and eat within two days.
If you don’t finish the tin, follow the packaging instructions for storing the rest and planning your next lunch.
Brands to consider
The differences below relate to the specific recipes listed, not every tinned product from each brand.
Petit Navire
Petit Navire’s 110 g plain steamed mackerel fillets and 169 g white mackerel in tomato sauce let you compare two of the brand’s recipes.
- According to Petit Navire, its plain steamed fillets contain 99% mackerel and 0 g of sugars per 100 g.
- The tomato sauce recipe contains sugar and has 2.7 g of sugars per 100 g. The value for the plain fillets does not apply to this version.
Saupiquet
The brand offers plain fillets, plain grilled fillets and fillets with grilled vegetables, in 120 g or 176 g sizes depending on the product.
- According to Saupiquet, its plain and plain grilled products contain less than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g.
- The grilled vegetable recipe contains 0.6 g of sugars and 22 g of fat per 100 g. Compare the full nutritional information if you’re interested in this topping.
Carrefour Extra
The 169 g mackerel fillets in escabeche are a ready-seasoned option.
- You can add this recipe to your lunch without preparing a separate dressing.
- Carrefour’s product information lists sugar among the ingredients and warns that traces of mustard and milk may be present. Check the information on the tin you buy.
Auchan
Two plain options are featured: 120 g mackerel fillets and 110 g white mackerel fillets.
- According to Auchan, both contain less than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g.
- The 120 g product contains 0.9 g of salt per 100 g, while the 110 g product contains 1 g per 100 g. Check which version you’re choosing.
Joybuy products
Related products will be available soon.
Frequently asked questions
Does a label showing 0 g of sugars mean ‘reduced sugar’?
No. 0 g of sugars describes the declared value for the product, whereas ‘reduced sugar’ is a separate nutrition claim. As France’s Directorate-General for Competition Policy, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control notes in relation to Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, the use of nutrition claims is regulated. When choosing between two tins, compare their values per 100 g without attributing a claim to either product unless it actually carries one.
How should you store an opened tin of mackerel?
Follow the instructions for the product you’ve bought. For the plain fillets featured here, Auchan and Saupiquet advise refrigerating the remainder after opening and eating it within two days.
Do plain mackerel and mackerel in escabeche have the same allergen information?
Not necessarily: the ingredients and any warnings about traces depend on the specific recipe. For example, Carrefour says its Carrefour Extra mackerel fillets in escabeche may contain traces of mustard and milk. Check the packaging information before choosing.