People looking to avoid added sugar
You want an ingredients list with no added sugar for your Christmas dinner side dish, without confusing this with the total amount of sugars shown in the nutritional information.
Who are these options for?
People who prefer to make their own recipe
You want to start with frozen peas and choose for yourself which sauces, fats and seasonings to add to the dish.
People who want a quick side dish
You’re considering a jar or tin that’s easy to heat through, while still checking the ingredients of the specific product and how much you’ll have to serve.
What should you look for?
When choosing peas for Christmas, first distinguish between sugar added to the ingredients and the sugars listed per 100 g. Then decide whether you’d rather prepare the seasoning yourself or save time when serving.
| Criterion | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Added sugar | Read the ingredients list and distinguish it from the “of which sugars” line per 100 g. | I want to avoid added sugar in my side dish, even though peas contain sugars naturally; this would be the top priority for around 50% of consumers. |
| Preparation | Check you have room in the freezer and allow for the cooking time, then choose what ingredients to add. | If I make the dish myself, I can decide how to season it; around 30% of consumers would prioritise having this control. |
| Quick serving | Check the ingredients of a tin that’s ready to heat, along with its drained weight. | When there are several dishes to prepare, I prefer a quick side dish; this would be the priority for around 20% of consumers. |
Common misconceptions to avoid
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Assuming a recipe with no added sugar is “reduced in sugars”
The absence of sugar from the ingredients list doesn’t tell you how much sugar the product contains or how it compares with another product. The DGCCRF notes that nutrition claims are governed by Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006.
If you’re looking to reduce your sugar intake, check the claim actually displayed and compare the nutritional information for relevant products on a like-for-like basis.
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Comparing peas without checking their recipe
Frozen peas that you season yourself and a ready-made tinned recipe don’t meet the same needs. The Bonduelle recipe we looked at contains sugar, salt and vegetable stock.
For each product you’re considering, read the ingredients and the “of which sugars” value per 100 g, then take into account anything you plan to add to your own dish.
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Relying on the weight shown on the packaging alone
A tin’s net weight doesn’t necessarily match its drained weight. For the product we looked at, Bonduelle states a net weight of 600 g and a drained weight of 420 g, while the frozen Auchan pack is listed as 1 kg for 5 portions.
When planning your meal, check the drained weight for a tin, or the weight and number of portions for frozen peas, depending on the format you choose.
Brands to consider by product
These examples relate to specific products: their ingredients and nutritional information don’t represent every recipe from each brand.
Carrefour Bio
The jar of extra-fine organic peas may appeal to people who start by checking the ingredients in a jarred recipe.
- The Carrefour France product page lists organic peas, water and Guérande sea salt.
- This information alone isn’t enough to conclude that the product is “reduced in sugars”; check its nutritional information too.
Auchan
The frozen pack of extra-fine peas is a good choice if you want to decide what to add during preparation.
- The Auchan France product page for the 1 kg pack (5 portions) lists 3 g of sugars and 0.01 g of salt per 100 g.
- These values apply to this specific product and don’t prove that it is “reduced in sugars” compared with a tin or a prepared recipe.
Bonduelle
The “Peas with no added flavourings” tin is a ready-to-heat recipe for a quick side dish.
- For this product, Bonduelle states a drained net weight of 420 g and 3.3 g of sugars per 100 g.
- Its ingredients list includes sugar, salt and vegetable stock, so it isn’t suitable if you’re strictly looking for no added sugar.
Joybuy products related to this topic
Related products will be available soon.
Frequently asked questions
Is a jar whose ingredients list doesn’t mention sugar “reduced in sugars”?
No, these two statements don’t mean the same thing. The ingredients list tells you about the recipe, while a reduction in sugars needs to be assessed by checking the claim displayed and comparing nutritional values on a relevant basis. The DGCCRF notes that nutrition claims are governed by Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006.
What should I check first to avoid added sugar?
Start with the ingredients list for the exact product. Carrefour France lists organic peas, water and Guérande sea salt for its Carrefour Bio jar, while the list published by Bonduelle for “Peas with no added flavourings” includes sugar. Check the “of which sugars” line separately to see the stated sugar content.
Do frozen peas always contain less sugar than tinned peas?
No, the format alone isn’t enough to make this comparison. The Auchan France product page lists 3 g of sugars per 100 g for the frozen product we looked at; Bonduelle lists 3.3 g per 100 g for the tin mentioned here. Compare the ingredients and values per 100 g for the products you’re interested in, without assuming these figures apply to every product in either category.
Should I check the label again for a product I already know?
Yes, especially if avoiding added sugar is your main priority. Check the ingredients list and nutritional information for the product you’re buying rather than relying on its name or format alone.