Who will find these criteria useful?

People comparing sugar values

You check the ‘of which sugars’ value on peeled tomatoes intended for the same use, without automatically treating a low figure as a ‘reduced in sugars’ claim.

People preparing several portions

You’re cooking meals to take with you and need to choose a tin whose contents you can use, or store any leftovers according to the instructions for the product you’ve bought.

People who want to keep track of ingredients

You check whether the product contains tomato juice, salt or an acidity regulator before seasoning a dish that you plan to take with you.

Which criteria should you check first?

For peeled tomatoes to use in meals you’re taking with you, first compare the nutritional values of products intended for the same purpose. Then check that the pack size and ingredients suit your recipe. What to prioritise depends on what you want to control in your dish.

Criteria What to check Who this matters to
Sugars listed Compare the ‘of which sugars’ value per 100 g for similar peeled tomatoes in juice. Don’t infer a ‘reduced in sugars’ claim from this figure. If sugar content is my main priority for a sauce to take with me, I want to compare labels on the same basis; around 50% of consumers would put this need first.
Pack size and leftovers Match the contents of the tin to the number of portions you plan to make, and read the storage instructions for after opening. When I’m preparing several portions, I want to avoid opening a tin if I won’t be able to use the rest in time. This would be the priority for around 30% of consumers.
Ingredients and salt Check the ingredients list and the salt value per 100 g for the product you’ve chosen. If I want to season the dish myself, I need to know what’s in the tomato base; around 20% of consumers would make their choice based first on the ingredients.

Which mistakes should you avoid?

  • Assuming a low figure means ‘reduced in sugars’

    A value per 100 g lets you compare products, but it isn’t enough to substantiate a nutrition claim. In France, the use of these claims is governed by Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, as outlined by the DGCCRF, among others.

    Refer to the listed sugar content, and check any claim on the packaging separately.

  • Opening a large tin without planning your portions

    Any unused contents must be stored according to the product instructions. Auchan says that leftover POUCE tomatoes, 238 g, should be eaten within two days of opening; the Auchan product page for Mutti Zero Pesticide Residue tomatoes, 260 g, gives a five-day limit.

    Plan your portions before opening the tin. Then put any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge, following the instructions for the product you’ve bought.

  • Assuming the online grocery listing always describes the tin you receive

    Auchan notes that the ingredients in its whole peeled tomatoes in juice, 480 g, may vary depending on the online grocery service and the date of purchase. This matters if a particular ingredient influences your choice.

    Check the ingredients list and nutritional information on the packaging you receive before preparing your meal.

  • Choosing organic on the assumption that it means less sugar

    The E.Leclerc product page for Bio Village organic peeled tomatoes, 400 g, lists 3.6 g of sugars per 100 g, compared with 2.5 g per 100 g on the Auchan product page for POUCE tomatoes, 238 g. The production method isn’t an indicator of sugar content.

    Assess the organic status and the ‘of which sugars’ value separately for each product.

Brands and products to know

These examples show which information to compare for specific products. A value or instruction for one product doesn’t apply to every product from the same brand.

Mutti

Mutti offers its whole peeled Pelati tomatoes in 400 g, 800 g and 2 × 400 g sizes, for dishes such as sauces, soups and stews.

  • Mutti’s product page lists whole peeled tomatoes and tomato juice as the ingredients in its Pelati.
  • The 2.9 g of sugars per 100 g listed by Auchan applies to a separate product, Mutti Zero Pesticide Residue, 260 g; it doesn’t describe all Mutti Pelati.

Notre Jardin / Marque Repère E.Leclerc

The 480 g tin of whole peeled tomatoes in juice could be a good choice when making several portions.

  • The E.Leclerc product page lists 3.0 g of sugars and 0.10 g of salt per 100 g.
  • The listed ingredients also include citric acid, so check that it suits the recipe you have in mind.

Auchan / POUCE

The 238 g and 480 g products give you two pack sizes to match to the number of portions you’re preparing.

  • Auchan’s product pages list 2.5 g of sugars per 100 g for both products.
  • Auchan says the ingredients in the 480 g product may vary depending on the online grocery service and the date of purchase, so check the packaging you receive.

Bio Village E.Leclerc

This 400 g tin of organic peeled tomatoes meets a production-method preference, which is separate from comparing sugar content.

  • The E.Leclerc product page lists organic tomatoes and tomato juice, as well as 0.10 g of salt per 100 g.
  • It lists 3.6 g of sugars per 100 g: organic status doesn’t mean this will be the lowest figure among the products you compare.

Cirio

Cirio recommends its Pelati peeled tomatoes for sauces and recipes that need a long cooking time.

  • Its range for food professionals includes 1,000 g and 3,000 g sizes, worth considering when preparing a large number of portions.
  • To compare sugar content with another tin, check the nutritional information for the specific product and size you’re considering.

Joybuy products related to this topic

Related products will be available soon.

Frequently asked questions

Can peeled tomatoes listing 2.5 g of sugars per 100 g be described as ‘reduced in sugars’?

This figure alone isn’t enough to describe them as ‘reduced in sugars’. In France, this claim is subject to the conditions set out in Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. When choosing between comparable tins, check the ‘of which sugars’ value without turning the figure into a claim yourself.

How should you store opened peeled tomatoes for meals to take with you?

Put any leftovers in an airtight container suitable for the fridge, and follow the storage time given for the product you’ve bought. The Auchan product page for POUCE tomatoes, 238 g, gives a limit of two days after opening, while the page for Mutti Zero Pesticide Residue tomatoes, 260 g, gives five days.

Do organic peeled tomatoes always contain less sugar?

No. Organic status doesn’t tell you the sugar content. The E.Leclerc product page for Bio Village organic peeled tomatoes, 400 g, lists 3.6 g per 100 g, compared with 2.5 g per 100 g on the Auchan product page for POUCE tomatoes, 238 g. Compare each label based on what matters for your recipe.

Does the ingredients list on the online grocery listing always match the tin you receive?

Not necessarily. Auchan says that the ingredients in its whole peeled tomatoes in juice, 480 g, may vary depending on the online grocery service and the date of purchase. If an ingredient or the salt content influences your choice, check the ingredients list and nutritional values on the tin you receive.