People who compare fat content first
You’re looking for plain organic rice and want to compare the values given per 100 g of dry product. You plan to cook it in water so you can control any added fat separately.
Who is this guide for?
People who make simple rice-based meals
Whether you’re preparing breakfast or a meal at home, you choose plain rice to suit the texture you want and decide for yourself which ingredients to add.
People who also check fibre content
You’re considering semi-wholegrain rice and comparing its fibre and fat content, without assuming that one tells you anything about the other. If you need to avoid certain foods, the precautionary allergen information on the packaging also plays a part in your choice.
What should you look for?
If you’re choosing rice for a simple dish, start with the specific product and its labelling, then distinguish between the nutritional values of plain rice and anything you add to the meal.
| Criterion | What to check | Who it’s for |
|---|---|---|
| Fat | Compare fat and saturates per 100 g, making sure the products are listed in the same state. | When choosing between different types of plain organic rice, I want to compare their fat content without confusing dry rice with a prepared dish. Around 50% of consumers would prioritise this comparison. |
| Certification and ingredients | Look for the EU organic logo, then check the ingredients and, if necessary, any precautionary allergen information. | When preparing a meal at home, I want to confirm that the rice is organic and know what’s in the product I’m buying. Certification and ingredients would be the top priority for around 30% of consumers. |
| Grain, fibre and cooking | Check the type of grain, fibre per 100 g and the ingredients used in your chosen cooking method. | If I choose rice for its texture or fibre content, I also want to stay in control of what I add while cooking. Around 20% of consumers would put these features and how they plan to use the rice at the heart of their choice. |
Common pitfalls to avoid
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Assuming the organic logo tells you how much fat the rice contains
According to Agence Bio, the EU organic logo on a product’s labelling confirms that it meets EU rules on organic farming. It doesn’t replace nutritional information: the products listed by Carrefour, Taureau Ailé, Auchan and E.Leclerc have different values per 100 g.
Check the ‘fat’ value on the packaging of the specific product you plan to buy.
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Comparing dry rice with a prepared dish
A value given per 100 g of dry rice doesn’t describe a cooked portion served with other ingredients.
Compare values for the same quantity and state of product, then consider separately any fat added to the recipe.
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Forgetting ingredients added during cooking
Taureau Ailé recommends cooking its organic basmati in water, but its pilaf method calls for oil or butter. The cooking method therefore changes the fat content of the dish you serve.
If you want to avoid adding fat, cook the rice in water and decide separately whether to add any seasoning.
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Assuming allergen information from the type of rice alone
The product information for Bio Village organic semi-wholegrain basmati mentions that it may contain traces of gluten, soya and sesame seeds. This applies to that specific product and not necessarily to other organic rice.
If you need to avoid certain foods, check the information on the exact packaging before you buy.
Brands and products to consider
Taureau Ailé
The brand’s range includes organic basmati with fine, long grains.
- Taureau Ailé’s product information lists 0.8 g of fat per 100 g of organic basmati and describes cooking it in water.
- The pilaf method suggested for this same product calls for oil or butter, so the rice’s nutritional value doesn’t describe the dish prepared this way.
Auchan Bio
The range includes organic parboiled long-grain rice and organic basmati.
- Auchan lists 0.9 g of fat per 100 g of its organic parboiled long-grain rice.
- Auchan says the ingredients in its basmati may vary depending on the online grocery listing and purchase date, so check the details for the product available to you.
Bio Village (E.Leclerc)
The brand offers organic rice, including white and semi-wholegrain basmati.
- E.Leclerc’s product information lists 0.8 g of fat per 100 g of white organic basmati and 1.9 g per 100 g of organic semi-wholegrain basmati.
- The product information for the semi-wholegrain basmati mentions that it may contain traces of gluten, soya and sesame seeds. If this is relevant to you, check the packaging of the product you buy.
Carrefour / VRACBIO
The product listed is VRACBIO organic white long-grain rice in a 1 kg pack.
- Carrefour lists 0.3 g of fat and 1.3 g of fibre per 100 g for this product.
- These values apply to this specific rice and don’t describe all the organic rice sold by Carrefour.
Lidl
Lidl France offers products certified as organic.
- To choose a specific rice, check its organic labelling and nutritional values on the product listing.
Joybuy products
Products related to this topic will be available soon.
Frequently asked questions
How can you tell if rice is organic from its packaging?
Look for the EU organic logo on the packaging. According to Agence Bio, it confirms that the product meets EU rules on organic farming; it doesn’t tell you how much fat the rice contains.
Is organic rice always low in fat?
No. Organic certification and nutritional values are two separate things. For comparison, Carrefour lists 0.3 g of fat per 100 g of VRACBIO organic white long-grain rice, while E.Leclerc lists 1.9 g per 100 g of Bio Village organic semi-wholegrain basmati.
Which cooking method avoids adding oil or butter?
Cooking rice in water lets you prepare it without adding these ingredients during cooking. Taureau Ailé recommends this method for its organic basmati, while its pilaf method calls for oil or butter. Remember to consider separately anything you add after cooking.
Should you check precautionary allergen information on a pack of organic rice?
Yes, if you have an allergy or need to avoid certain foods. The product information for Bio Village organic semi-wholegrain basmati mentions that it may contain traces of gluten, soya and sesame seeds. Check the information on the exact pack you’re buying.