When preparing a school packed lunch, choose peeled tomatoes as an ingredient in a cooked dish, then compare the ‘of which sugars’ value per 100 g, the ingredients and the instructions for storing the product after opening. A short ingredients list does not prove that a product is ‘reduced in sugar’. If this claim is important to your purchase, check it on the specific product rather than assuming it applies just because it contains tomatoes.
You want to distinguish the declared sugar content from a genuine sugar-reduction claim. Check the ‘of which sugars’ line and the claim on the specific product, without assuming that one proves the other.
You add peeled tomatoes to a sauce or cooked dish. The quantity needed for your recipe and the storage instructions after opening will help you choose the right pack size.
You prefer a particular ingredient list or an organic product. Check these criteria on the label, separately from the sugar content.
For a school lunch made with peeled tomatoes, start with the recipe and number of portions. Then compare the nutritional information of products that suit your needs.
| Criterion | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Declared sugars | The ‘of which sugars’ value per 100 g and, if you’re looking for a reduction, the exact claim on the product. | I want to compare sugar content without mistaking plain tinned tomatoes for a reduced-sugar product. Around 45% of consumers make this their priority. |
| Portions and storage | The drained net weight in relation to the recipe and the storage instructions for the product once opened. | When I’m preparing several lunches, I want to use the amount I need and plan how to use the rest of the tin. Around 33% of consumers put this ahead of other criteria. |
| Ingredients | The ingredients list, whether salt is included and, if it matters to you, the organic claim. | I prefer to choose based on the ingredients or production method, while checking the sugar content separately. Around 22% of consumers prioritise these criteria. |
A short ingredients list alone does not show that the sugar content has been reduced compared with a similar product.
If you’re specifically looking for a ‘reduced in sugar’ claim, check that it appears on the product you choose. Otherwise, compare the declared ‘of which sugars’ values on the same per-100 g basis.
‘Carbohydrate’ and ‘of which sugars’ are two separate lines in the nutrition table, and the figures answer different questions.
To compare sugar content, check the ‘of which sugars’ value per 100 g for each product you’re considering.
The pack size should suit the amount you’re cooking and the meals you have planned afterwards. For its peeled tomatoes, D’Aucy advises keeping any leftovers in a suitable container in the fridge and using them within two days.
Check the instructions on your tin and plan how you’ll use any leftovers before choosing a size.
An organic claim and a Nutri-Score tell you about other aspects of a product. They don’t replace its ‘of which sugars’ value or a sugar-reduction claim.
Check the ingredients, nutritional information and claims that match your shopping criteria separately.
Mutti says its Pelati range includes 400 g, 2 × 400 g and 800 g packs, as well as a 400 g organic option.
Cirio presents its peeled tomatoes as suitable for sauces and cooked dishes. The 1 000 g and 3 000 g packs described by the brand are part of its professional range.
Carrefour Classic’ listings include products with drained net weights of 240 g and 480 g.
Auchan’s range includes whole peeled tomatoes in juice in various pack sizes, as well as an Auchan Bio product.
No. A plain ingredients list does not show that the sugar content has been reduced compared with a similar product. If you’re looking for this feature, check the claim on the specific product and read its ‘of which sugars’ value per 100 g.
No. Nutri-Score does not replace the ‘of which sugars’ line in the nutritional information. Check this value on every product you want to compare, and don’t assume a lower sugar content from the score alone.
Follow the instructions for the product you’re using, as they apply once the tin has been opened. For its peeled tomatoes, D’Aucy advises putting any leftovers in a suitable container in the fridge and using them within two days. The best-before date on the unopened tin does not replace these instructions.
Peeled tomatoes are better used as an ingredient in a sauce or prepared dish. Anses recommends that food provided at school forms part of a balanced meal. You should also follow your school’s guidance on packed lunches.