Who is this guide for?

Shoppers looking for organic certification

You want to distinguish certified organic couscous from a product that is simply labelled “natural”. The Ministry of Agriculture states that the AB mark can be used alongside the European organic logo.

People choosing by grain type

You’re making couscous, tabbouleh or a side dish and want to choose between medium, semi-wholegrain and wholegrain couscous to suit your recipe.

Shoppers checking pack size and allergens

You check the pack size and whether the product is available, as well as whether it contains wheat and whether its label warns of possible traces of other allergens.

What should you check?

Start by checking the organic certification, then look at the grain type, pack size and ingredients of the product you’re planning to buy.

Criteria What to check Who it matters to
Organic certification Look for the European organic logo on the specific product; the AB mark may also appear on the packaging. If I’m choosing couscous for an organic diet, a “natural” label alone isn’t enough to confirm its certification. Around 40 % of shoppers put proof of certification at the top of their list.
Grain type Check whether it is labelled “medium”, “semi-wholegrain” or “wholegrain”, and read the preparation instructions. For a particular recipe, I want to know which grain I’m buying rather than assume all organic couscous is the same. Grain type is the main priority for around 20 % of shoppers.
Pack size and availability Check the net weight and whether the product is available at your chosen shop or for your selected collection option. When I shop at a particular retailer, I need a pack size that suits me and a product I can get locally. This is the top priority for around 20 % of shoppers.
Ingredients and allergens Check whether the ingredients include wheat and whether the packaging mentions possible traces of other allergens. If I need to avoid certain ingredients, the organic logo alone doesn’t tell me whether a product meets my dietary needs. Checking allergens is the top priority for around 20 % of shoppers.

Mistakes to avoid

  • Assuming “natural” means certified organic

    This wording is not a substitute for certification marks. The Ministry of Agriculture states that the AB mark can be used alongside the European organic logo.

    Check the organic labelling on the packaging or the product listing before you choose a specific product.

  • Assuming organic wheat couscous is gluten-free

    Organic couscous made with durum wheat semolina still contains wheat. Auchan Bio’s product listing also mentions possible traces of soya and mustard in its medium-grain product.

    Check the ingredients and any traces warnings on each pack. If you’re looking for a gluten-free product, make sure to check the ingredients of any alternative you’re considering.

  • Assuming all organic grain types are the same

    “Medium”, “semi-wholegrain” and “wholegrain” refer to different products. Auchan, for example, lists an Alpina Savoie medium-grain couscous for couscous dishes, tabbouleh and verrines, while Bio Village describes a semi-wholegrain product.

    Choose the grain type you’re looking for, then follow the preparation instructions on the pack you buy.

Organic couscous brands to know

Carrefour Bio

Carrefour’s range includes medium, semi-wholegrain and wholegrain organic couscous under this brand.

  • A Carrefour product listing describes a 500 g box of semi-wholegrain organic couscous.
  • Check the description of each product: the brand name alone doesn’t tell you which grain type it is.

Bio Village

E.Leclerc sells a 500 g pack of semi-wholegrain organic couscous under the Bio Village brand.

  • The listing describes pre-cooked semi-wholegrain durum wheat semolina from organic farming.
  • Check whether this product is available at your local E.Leclerc store.

Auchan Bio

Auchan sells a 500 g pack of medium-grain organic couscous made with durum wheat semolina under this brand.

  • The listing for this product shows the European organic and AB logos.
  • It warns of possible traces of soya and mustard; check the packaging of the product you buy.

Alpina Savoie

Auchan and Carrefour each list an Alpina Savoie organic couscous, in medium-grain and wholegrain varieties respectively.

  • Auchan describes its 500 g medium-grain product as suitable for couscous dishes, tabbouleh and verrines.
  • Grain type and preparation details apply to each specific product, not the brand’s entire range.

Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

How can you tell if couscous is certified organic in France?

Look for the European organic logo on the packaging of the specific product. The Ministry of Agriculture states that the AB mark can also be used alongside this logo; the word “natural” on its own doesn’t confirm certification.

Is organic couscous always gluten-free?

No. The products mentioned that are made with durum wheat semolina contain wheat, even if they’re organic. Check the ingredients and any warnings about possible traces on each product’s packaging.

How do you prepare Alpina Savoie medium-grain organic couscous?

For the medium-grain product listed by Auchan, the instructions say to add one measure of salted boiling water to one measure of couscous, cover and leave to stand for 5 to 7 minutes, then fluff with a fork. Follow the instructions on the pack you buy if they differ.