Anyone cooking during the week
Whether you’re making sauces, soups or slow-cooked dishes, choose an amount that suits your planned recipes to help limit leftovers once the tin is open.
Who are these options for?
Anyone comparing pack sizes
The drained net weight helps you distinguish the quantity of tomatoes from the liquid in the tin, especially when comparing different sizes.
Anyone checking ingredients and labels
Check the ingredients list, stated origin and any organic certification for the specific product you choose. Don’t assume every tin from the same brand is identical.
What should you look for?
Start by working out how much you need for your meals, then compare the information on each tin. If you’re stocking up your cupboard, check the tin’s condition and storage instructions too.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Pack size and leftovers | The drained net weight and the meals you plan to make after opening. | If I’m only making one dish, I’d rather choose an amount I can use without having to store a large opened portion; around 33 % of consumers put this first. |
| Comparing quantities | The net weight and drained net weight of each pack. | When I’m choosing between several tins, I want to know how many tomatoes each one actually contains; around 25 % of consumers put this comparison first. |
| Ingredients and product information | The ingredients list, stated origin and, if you wish, the organic label. | For my recipes, I want to distinguish tomatoes in juice from a product that also contains purée or an acidity regulator; around 25 % of consumers prioritise this information. |
| Storing in the cupboard | The date, storage instructions and whether the tin is free from rust, bulging or dents. | If I’m stocking up for the week, I want to store tins that are intact and follow their storage instructions; around 17 % of consumers put this first. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Assuming a retailer always offers the same ingredients
Auchan notes that information about its whole peeled tomatoes in juice may vary depending on the online grocery service and the date of purchase.
Check the ingredients, stated origin and instructions on the tin you actually buy.
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Storing an opened tin as if it were still sealed
For its 480 g product, Auchan advises transferring the contents to a suitable airtight container, refrigerating them and using them within two days.
If you’re only planning one meal, choose an amount closer to what your recipe needs or plan to use the rest in line with the instructions for your product.
Without another meal planned for the leftovers, some of the contents could go to waste.
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Using a rusty, bulging or dented tin
The DGCCRF says these signs may indicate that a metal can has deteriorated.
Set the tin aside and don’t eat its contents if you have any concerns.
Peeled tomato brands to know
Mutti
Mutti’s range includes Pelati peeled tomatoes in 400 g and 800 g tins, as well as a pack of two 400 g tins.
- According to Mutti, its Pelati product combines whole peeled tomatoes with tomato juice.
- This description applies to the Pelati product mentioned by the brand, not necessarily to its other recipes.
Cirio
One Cirio product is labelled “100 % from Puglia”.
- Carrefour’s product listing for this item gives the ingredients as peeled tomatoes, tomato purée and citric acid.
- Check the ingredients list on the tin you choose rather than assuming the same recipe applies throughout the Cirio range.
Carrefour Classic'
Carrefour sells whole peeled tomatoes in juice under its Classic' brand, including products with different drained net weights.
- The listed drained net weights of 240 g and 480 g let you choose according to the quantity your recipe needs.
- Check the weight of the product you choose: the drained contents don’t necessarily weigh the same as the whole tin.
Notre Jardin / Marque Repère E.Leclerc
E.Leclerc sells Notre Jardin whole peeled tomatoes in juice, including a product with a drained net weight of 480 g.
- This drained net weight helps you work out how many tomatoes you can use in a dish.
- Check the pack size of the product you choose before planning your portions.
Auchan
Auchan sells whole peeled tomatoes in juice, including a 480 g product and a 240 g Auchan Bio product.
- These two products offer different sizes to compare; the latter carries the AB certification stated by Auchan.
- For the 480 g product, Auchan advises storing the opened contents in a suitable airtight container in the fridge and using them within two days.
Peeled tomatoes on Joybuy
This cherry tomato product is suitable for recipes where you’d like to cook with whole peeled tomatoes rather than a ready-made sauce. Check that the pack size suits the quantity you need.
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LA MOLISANA Pomodorini, 100 % Italian cherry tomatoes, 400 g
For making a dish with whole peeled cherry tomatoes rather than a ready-made sauce.
The tin has a total weight of 400 g. Before planning to use any leftovers, check the storage instructions on the packaging for after opening.
Frequently asked questions
What’s the difference between a use-by date and a best-before date on cupboard staples?
A use-by date mainly applies to highly perishable foods, while a best-before date indicates how long a product should retain its quality when stored as instructed. For a tin of peeled tomatoes, also follow the storage instructions on the packaging, especially after opening, as the French Ministry of the Economy advises.
Can you keep a damaged tin of peeled tomatoes?
If you have any concerns, set aside any tin that is rusty, bulging or dented. The DGCCRF says these signs may indicate that the contents of a metal can have deteriorated.
How should you store peeled tomatoes after opening?
Follow the instructions on the tin you buy, as these may vary by product. For its 480 g whole peeled tomatoes in juice, Auchan advises transferring the contents to a suitable airtight container, placing it in the fridge and using the tomatoes within two days.
Are organic peeled tomatoes necessarily free from citric acid?
No. The organic label alone doesn’t tell you what’s on the ingredients list. For its Pelati Bio product, Mutti lists organic peeled tomatoes, organic tomato juice and citric acid. Check the label of the product you choose.