For a garden party, first choose a product with organic certification shown on the pot, then pick a size to suit how you’ll serve it. Individual pots are handy for portions prepared in advance, while a large plain yoghurt pot lets you serve as much as you need at a buffet or use it in a cold dish. A sheep’s milk recipe is more about personal taste. In every case, compare the ingredients and nutritional information, and make sure the yoghurt stays chilled until serving.
For an outdoor breakfast or dessert, you’ll want to be able to check the certification of every yoghurt you choose. The French Ministry of Agriculture says the EU organic logo helps identify products that meet European organic production rules. Look for this logo, or the AB mark if it appears on the pot.
If guests will help themselves to fruit or granola, or you’re using the yoghurt in a cold dish, a sharing pot may be more practical than individual portions. Auchan’s product listing, for example, features VRAI plain organic yoghurt in a 400 g pot.
If you’d like to offer a different dairy recipe, check the type of milk on the pot. Auchan Bio’s listing describes an organic Greek-style yoghurt made with sheep’s milk and cream, sold in two 150 g pots. It isn’t suitable for anyone avoiding milk.
Check the certification on the specific product, then choose a size and recipe to suit how you plan to serve it. Don’t forget to plan how you’ll keep it chilled.
| Criterion | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Organic certification | Look for the EU organic logo or AB mark on the pot you choose, then check the recipe and flavour. | I want to be sure the yoghurt I serve is organic, rather than relying on its appearance or name. Certification is the top priority for around 33% of the consumers surveyed. |
| Serving size | Compare the total weight and number of pots: individual portions or one pot to share. | If I want everyone to serve themselves at the buffet, I prefer a large pot; for portions that are ready to serve, I choose small pots. Size comes first for around 27% of consumers. |
| Recipe and type of milk | Read the ingredients and check the fat and sugar values per 100 g; distinguish between cow’s milk and sheep’s milk. | If I’m offering different flavours or types of milk, I want to know what’s in each recipe before putting it on the table. Around 20% of consumers put this choice of recipe first. |
| Storage | Check the storage temperature on the pot and its use-by date; plan how you’ll transport and store it chilled. | When serving food outdoors, my main concern is keeping the pots chilled until it’s time to serve them. This comes first for around 20% of consumers. |
This describes a type of yoghurt, not its certification. Lidl’s Eridanous product page lists a Greek-style yoghurt that isn’t labelled organic.
If organic is a must for your buffet, check the certification details on the exact pot you’re buying.
The product listings for Carrefour Bio, VRAI and Auchan Bio sheep’s milk yoghurt show 9.1 g, 9 g and 10 g of fat per 100 g respectively. So “plain” doesn’t correspond to a single nutritional value.
Compare the nutritional information per 100 g, and check the sugars, saturated fat and any toppings you plan to add separately.
Anses recommends picking up chilled products at the end of your shop, carrying them in an insulated bag and keeping the journey as short as possible. For the 400 g VRAI product, Auchan recommends storing it between +2 °C and +6 °C.
Keep the pots chilled until serving, take them out as you need them and check their use-by dates before your guests arrive.
Pots may need to be discarded if they haven’t been stored correctly or are past their use-by date.
Carrefour’s listing features plain organic Greek-style yoghurt in four 125 g pots, ideal for serving as individual portions.
Auchan’s listing describes plain organic Greek-style yoghurt in a 400 g pot, suitable for sharing or using in a cold dish.
Auchan’s listing features organic Greek-style yoghurt made with sheep’s milk and cream, sold in two 150 g pots.
E.Leclerc features organic Greek-style yoghurt made with whole milk, sold in two 150 g pots.
Carrefour’s range includes Danone Greek-style yoghurts in various recipes. Separate Danone information describes Les 2 Vaches vanilla Greek-style yoghurt as a sweetened organic yoghurt.
Lidl describes Eridanous as a Greek-style yoghurt for a range of culinary uses.
Check the certification on the pot you plan to serve, such as the EU organic logo or the AB mark if shown. According to the French Ministry of Agriculture, the EU organic logo helps identify products that meet European organic production rules. The words “Greek-style” aren’t enough.
No. Organic certification and the word “plain” don’t determine its fat content. The product listings for Carrefour Bio, VRAI and Auchan Bio sheep’s milk yoghurt mentioned here show 9.1 g, 9 g and 10 g per 100 g respectively. Check the value for the product you choose.
Pick up chilled products at the end of your shop, carry them in an insulated bag and keep the journey short, following Anses advice. Once you arrive, follow the storage temperature shown on each product and keep the pots chilled until serving.
Yes. For food labelled “use by”, the date is a strict limit even if the packaging is still sealed, as the French Ministry of the Economy explains. Before you shop, check that the date covers the day of your garden party.