Who are these options for?

Campers keeping an eye on their budget

If you’re cooking for several people, compare the sizes without buying more tomatoes than you can use.

Festival-goers without refrigeration after opening

Choose an amount you can cook in one meal, rather than having to store an opened tin.

Cooks who care about provenance or ingredients

Depending on your recipe, check the stated origin, the ingredients list and the liquid the tomatoes are packed in.

What should you look for?

When taking peeled tomatoes camping or to a festival, start by considering how many portions you need and whether you’ll be able to store any leftovers. Then compare the sizes and the information on each tin.

Criteria What to check Who this matters to
Meal budget Compare sizes on a like-for-like basis, then check the drained weight if your recipe doesn’t use all the juice. For a shared meal on a budget, I want to buy the amount the group needs rather than relying on the size of the tin alone. Around 34% of consumers would make this their top priority.
Size and leftovers Choose a tin to suit the number of portions. If you won’t use it all, plan to store the remainder according to the instructions on the label. Without refrigeration after the meal, I’d rather not open more than I can finish. Managing leftovers would be the priority for around 33% of consumers.
Recipe Check the ingredients list and whether the whole tomatoes are packed in tomato juice or tomato purée. For my sauce, the packing liquid and how I plan to use the tomatoes matter more than the size of the tin. Around 25% of consumers would prioritise how well the product suits their recipe.
Condition and storage Inspect the tin, check its best-before date and read the storage instructions for before and after opening. After transport, I mainly want to make sure the tin is intact and that I can follow its storage instructions. Around 8% of consumers would put this check first.

Mistakes to avoid

  • Choosing without comparing sizes

    A small tin and a larger size won’t necessarily suit the same meal. Any unused tomatoes could outweigh the convenience of buying a larger tin for the group.

    Work out how many portions you need, then check the net weight and drained weight if the latter matters for your recipe.

  • Opening a large tin without a plan for leftovers

    The Auchan and Pouce product details consulted advise transferring any leftover tomatoes to a suitable airtight container, refrigerating them and using them within two days.

    If you can’t rely on having a fridge, choose a size you can use up in one meal.

    An opened tin that you can’t store in line with its label may end up in the bin.

  • Overlooking the condition of the tin after transport

    The DGCCRF warns that dents or other deformation, rust and bulging may indicate that a tin has spoiled.

    Inspect the tin before you set off and before opening it. If anything about its condition concerns you, don’t eat its contents.

  • Assuming packaging claims mean a product suits your recipe

    A statement about origin or a brand claim won’t, on its own, tell you how much you need or whether the packing liquid is right for your recipe.

    Check the ingredients, size and the features that really matter for the dish you’re planning.

Brands to consider

SIMPL / Carrefour Classic'

Two Carrefour ranges worth comparing, particularly by the amount you need: the products consulted are available in 240 g and 480 g sizes.

  • Their different sizes let you choose between a small meal and a dish for a larger group.
  • Check the drained weight and product details before deciding how many portions to make.

Notre Jardin / E.Leclerc

Whole peeled tomatoes in juice, sold by E.Leclerc in 240 g and 480 g sizes.

  • You can choose a size to suit the number of people sharing the meal.
  • A larger tin only avoids leftovers if you use all the tomatoes or store them according to the label.

Auchan / Pouce

Whole peeled tomatoes in juice, worth considering for their size and storage instructions.

  • The Auchan product details consulted explain how to store these products after opening.
  • They advise keeping leftovers in a suitable airtight container in the fridge and using them within two days. Plan to finish the tin if you don’t have access to refrigeration.

Mutti

Worth considering if the stated origin and ingredients are important to you.

  • Carrefour’s product details repeat a Mutti claim about pesticide residues. Read the wording and check what it applies to on the product concerned.
  • This brand claim doesn’t mean the product will necessarily be a better fit for your recipe.

Cirio

An option to consider if you’re looking for whole tomatoes packed in tomato purée.

  • Carrefour’s product details describe a 400 g Cirio product with Apulia stated as its origin.
  • Check that the packing liquid and size suit the dish you’re planning and the number of portions you need.

Joybuy products

Related products will be available soon.

Frequently asked questions

Do you need a cool box for unopened tins of peeled tomatoes?

Unopened tins can be transported without a chilled supply chain, as long as you follow the instructions on the label. Protect them from knocks; the Auchan product details consulted also advise keeping them away from heat and damp.

What should you do with leftover tomatoes after opening a tin while camping?

If you can’t rely on having refrigeration, choose a tin you can use up in one meal. For the Auchan and Pouce products consulted, leftovers should be transferred to a suitable airtight container, kept in the fridge and used within two days. Follow the instructions on your own tin’s label.

Should you automatically throw away a tin after its best-before date?

No. According to Anses, a best-before date isn’t the same as a use-by date, although the product’s quality may change over time. Check the condition of the tin too: the DGCCRF highlights dents or other deformation, rust and bulging as possible signs of spoilage.