Who are these formats for?

Households looking for organic lentils, ready to serve

You want lentils that are already cooked, for a salad or side dish, with clearly identifiable organic labelling and an ingredients list you can compare.

Families planning several meals

You’re looking for a quantity that will work across several meals. The number of tins and the drained weight matter more than a ‘family-sized’ label alone, as this can also refer to a ready meal.

Households mindful of leftovers and storage

Choose a container size based on what you’ll be able to use after opening, and check the storage instructions and the condition of any tins.

What should you compare?

Plain organic lentils in a container

Choose these if: you want ready-to-serve lentils that you can season yourself, with clearly identifiable organic labelling.

Bear in mind: Carrefour, E.Leclerc and Auchan do not present the Carrefour Bio, Bio Village and Jardin Bio examples as family-sized multipacks.

Multipack of ready-to-drain lentils

Choose this if: you’re planning several meals and prefer to open the tins as you need them.

Bear in mind: Auchan does not label the 3 × 265 g Bonduelle multipack as organic.

Large ready meal with lentils

Choose this if: you want a meal that’s already prepared, rather than plain lentils to use in different recipes.

Bear in mind: the large ready meals in Carrefour’s search results are not interchangeable with a tin of plain organic lentils.

Criterion What to check Who is it for?
Organic status and recipe Look for the EU organic logo, the code of the inspection body and information about the origin of the agricultural ingredients. Check the product name and ingredients. For my organic shop, I want to distinguish certified plain lentils from a ready meal and know what it contains; around 42% of consumers would make this their top priority.
Quantity for your household Compare the drained weight, number of tins in the multipack and the portions stated on the product. If I’m planning several meals, I need a usable quantity of lentils, not just a large pack; this would be the top priority for around 33% of consumers.
Leftovers and storage Check the storage instructions after opening and the outside of any tin for damage before buying. I prefer a format my household can finish while following the storage instructions after opening; around 25% of consumers would put this first.

Common mix-ups to avoid

  • Confusing ‘organic’ with ‘from France’

    The organic logo alone does not prove that a product is French in origin. E.Leclerc’s Bio Village listing says the lentils are from France and made in France, while Auchan’s Jardin Bio listing says they are made in Turkey.

    If origin matters to you, check the origin of the lentils and the place of manufacture separately.

  • Mistaking a family-sized meal for plain lentils

    Carrefour’s search results include large ready meals and prepared lentil dishes. These may not suit you if you’re looking for plain organic lentils to season yourself.

    Check the product name and ingredients before comparing formats.

  • Comparing pack sizes alone

    According to Auchan, the 400 g Jardin Bio carton contains 215 g drained, while the 3 × 265 g Bonduelle multipack contains 795 g drained in total and states that it serves six.

    Compare the drained weight with the number of portions and tins your household actually needs.

  • Overlooking the condition of a tin

    The DGCCRF says that dents, rust or bulging may indicate that the product has spoiled.

    If you’re unsure about the condition of a tin, don’t eat its contents. After opening, follow the storage instructions on the packaging.

Brands and retailers to know

Carrefour Bio

Carrefour lists a 446 mL jar of organic green lentils.

  • The listed ingredients are organic blanched, soaked green lentils, water and 0.69% Noirmoutier salt.
  • This jar is not presented as a family-sized multipack.

Bio Village (E.Leclerc)

E.Leclerc lists organic lentils with a drained weight of 215 g.

  • The listing gives water, soaked organic lentils and salt as ingredients. It also says the lentils are from France and made in France.
  • E.Leclerc advises checking availability with the relevant store.

Bonduelle

Auchan lists a multipack of three 265 g tins of cooked Bonduelle lentils.

  • The listing states a total drained weight of 795 g and six portions, making it easier to compare the multipack with your household’s needs.
  • The listing does not describe the multipack as organic. Its ingredients include salt and calcium chloride.

Jardin Bio

Auchan lists a 400 g carton of organic cooked Jardin Bio lentils.

  • The listing shows the EU organic logo and AB logo; it states a drained weight of 215 g and two portions.
  • The product is listed as being made in Turkey. Once opened, the listing says to keep it chilled and use it quickly.

ALDI

ALDI France has a listing for Les Jardins de Laylah lentils in a 400 g pack.

  • The listing marks the product as unavailable and does not describe it as an organic lentil product.

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Frequently asked questions

How can you tell if tinned lentils are organic?

For a pre-packed organic food produced in the European Union, look for the EU organic logo and the information shown alongside it. The European Commission says the logo applies to most such products and is accompanied by the inspection body’s code and the origin of the agricultural ingredients. You should also check the product name and ingredients.

Does a family-sized pack always contain more plain lentils?

No. ‘Family-sized’ can refer to a ready meal rather than a quantity of plain lentils to use in several recipes. Carrefour’s search results list these meals separately from tins of lentils, so check the product name, ingredients and drained weight.

How should you store lentils after opening?

Follow the temperature and storage time stated on the packaging after opening. The ministry responsible for the Economy advises following the manufacturer’s instructions. For its Jardin Bio carton, Auchan says to keep it chilled and use it quickly.

Can you eat the contents of a dented or bulging tin?

If you’re unsure about the condition of the tin, don’t eat its contents. The DGCCRF says that dents, rust or bulging may indicate that the product has spoiled.