When choosing an organic stock cube as part of a more sustainable shop, first check that the specific product is labelled organic, then compare the ingredients, allergens, salt content and number of servings. Organic does not mean ‘salt-free’ or ‘allergen-free’, and the pack size you want also needs to be available at your chosen retailer.
You use stock in pasta, rice, soups or sauces and want to tell an organic product apart from packaging that simply suggests its ingredients are natural. The Ministry of Agriculture states that organic farming is governed by European regulations, so check the specific product you’re putting in your basket.
If you use stock regularly, the amount of salt you consume depends on the recipe and serving size. Knorr’s organic chicken stock listing gives 1.7 g of salt per serving, while Carrefour describes a Jardin BiO étic vegetable stock as ‘salt-free’. Organic labelling alone tells you nothing about this.
If you need to avoid wheat, celery, other allergens or animal ingredients, check each recipe individually. Carrefour’s listings for Maggi and Jardin BiO étic, along with Auchan’s listing for a Jardin BiO étic beef stock cube, show that these features vary from one product to another.
For a more sustainable shop, start with the specific product and its ingredients, then check the serving size, pack format and availability at your chosen retailer.
| Criteria | What to check | Who it’s for |
|---|---|---|
| Organic certification | Look for the organic mark on the packaging, then check the product name and ingredients of the variant you’ve chosen. | If I’m looking first and foremost for an organic stock cube, I want to identify the specific product rather than judge by how the box looks. This is the top priority for around 31% of consumers. |
| Salt and serving size | Compare the salt content on a like-for-like basis and check the serving size, along with how much stock cube your recipe calls for. | When I use stock regularly, I want to control how much salt I add to my dish; around 25% of consumers prioritise this. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients list and any ‘may contain’ warnings, and check the claims for each product separately. | If I need to avoid celery, wheat or animal ingredients, the flavour and organic label aren’t enough to help me choose. For around 25% of consumers, recipe suitability is the main criterion. |
| Pack size and availability | Check the number of cubes, the amount needed per use and whether the exact product is available in your shop or for online grocery delivery. | When I’m preparing several meals, I want a pack size that suits how I cook and that I can find at my usual retailer. This is the top priority for around 19% of consumers. |
Organic production says nothing about the salt content of a stock cube. Knorr lists 1.7 g of salt per serving for its organic chicken stock; make sure you read this alongside the serving size given for that specific product.
Compare the nutritional information on a like-for-like basis and take account of how much stock cube you actually use.
A product labelled ‘gluten-free’ may still contain celery or warn that it may contain traces of other allergens. Likewise, organic beef stock contains animal ingredients, regardless of its organic certification.
Read the ingredients list and any ‘may contain’ warnings for the exact product, even if you already know the brand.
The number of cubes alone won’t tell you how many servings you’ll get, as the recommended amount can vary. And a product you’ve spotted at one retailer may not be available at your local branch.
Compare the number of cubes with the recommended amount shown on each pack, then check availability at your local shop or for online grocery delivery.
These products show the range of recipes and pack sizes available. The brand name is no substitute for checking the label of the product you choose.
Carrefour lists KUB OR Bio in a box of 32 cubes, a pack size worth considering if you use stock regularly.
The French range includes organic chicken stock, designed for use in pasta, rice, vegetables and dishes with sauce.
The vegetable and herb stock listed by E.Leclerc contains 8 tablets and weighs 80 g.
The listings consulted include a vegetable stock described by Carrefour as ‘salt-free’ and ‘gluten-free’, as well as a beef stock described by Auchan as ‘palm oil-free’.
Auchan’s stock range includes an 80 g vegetable and herb stock with 8 tablets.
Check for the organic mark on the packaging, then read the product name and ingredients for the specific product. The Ministry of Agriculture states that organic farming is governed by European regulations implemented in France; a range name or packaging that suggests natural ingredients is no substitute for checking.
No. Organic certification and salt content are two separate things. Knorr’s organic chicken stock listing gives 1.7 g of salt per serving, while Carrefour describes a Jardin BiO étic vegetable stock cube as ‘salt-free’. Compare the figures, taking account of the serving size and preparation instructions.
No. Check all the ingredients and any ‘may contain’ warnings on the product you’ve chosen. The Jardin BiO étic vegetable stock cube Carrefour describes as ‘gluten-free’ contains celery and may contain traces of eggs, milk, soya and mustard; the Maggi KUB OR Bio listed by Carrefour contains wheat and celery.
Check the recommended amount on the packaging before adding the cube, and taste your dish before adding any more salt. Manger Bouger lists stock among the condiments that can contribute to salt intake; the amount to compare is the salt content of the specific product and serving size you use.
Compare the amount needed per dish and how often you expect to use the recipe, rather than looking only at the number of cubes. Carrefour and E.Leclerc list a 32-cube Maggi KUB OR Bio and an 8-tablet Bio Village vegetable stock weighing 80 g, respectively. Then check the ingredients and availability of the product that suits you.