Who are these criteria useful for?

People avoiding added sweetening ingredients

For a sauce, pizza or slow-cooked dish, you may prefer a short ingredients list. But this shouldn’t be confused with having no sugars: Anses points out that ingredients can contain sugars naturally.

People comparing total sugars

You can compare several tins using the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g, rather than comparing tin sizes or drained weights.

People cooking for a group

For a night in, you’ll want whole tomatoes in a quantity that suits your recipe. The size of the tin and how you’ll store any leftovers matter just as much as the nutritional information.

Which criteria should you check first?

First decide whether you want to avoid an added sweetening ingredient or compare total sugars. Then choose a tin size that suits the dish and the number of people you’re serving.

Criterion What to check Who is it for?
Added sweetening ingredients Read the ingredients list on the specific tin. A recipe made with tomatoes and tomato juice may still contain sugars that occur naturally. If I want to make a sauce without added sweetening ingredients, I need to know what’s actually in it rather than relying on the product name; around 40% of consumers with this concern would make it their priority.
Total sugars Compare the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g, using the same basis for each product. If the ingredients may vary, check the label on the tin you choose. If total sugar content guides my choice, a short ingredients list isn’t enough to help me choose between two tins. Around 30% of consumers with this concern would make it their main criterion.
Recipe and quantity Check the tin size, drained weight and storage instructions after opening against the dish you’re planning to make. When I’m cooking for several people, I want enough tomatoes for the meal without ending up with leftovers that are difficult to use; around 30% of consumers with this concern would prioritise this.

Common pitfalls to avoid

  • Confusing ‘no added sugars’ with ‘sugar-free’

    According to Anses, having no added sugars doesn’t rule out sugars that occur naturally in the ingredients. So this claim alone won’t tell you the total sugar content.

    Check both the ingredients list and the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g.

  • Judging whole brands from just a few tins

    The product listings shown by Auchan give sugar values of 2.5 g per 100 g for the Auchan and D’Aucy products mentioned, compared with 3.4 g for the Rochefontaine organic product. These figures apply to those specific products. Auchan also notes that the composition of its product may vary depending on where and when you buy it.

    Compare the exact products on the same per-100 g basis, then check the label on the one you’re buying.

  • Choosing a tin size without thinking about leftovers

    A large tin may contain more than your recipe needs. The Rochefontaine product listing shown by Auchan says to keep the opened product in the fridge in a non-metallic container and use it within two days.

    Choose a quantity that suits the number of people you’re serving. If you keep any leftovers, follow the instructions on the tin you’ve bought.

Brands to compare

Mutti

Mutti offers its Pelati peeled tomatoes in 400 g, 2 × 400 g and 800 g tins, for sauces and slow-cooked dishes.

  • Mutti’s Pelati recipe lists whole peeled tomatoes and tomato juice.
  • To compare total sugars with another tin, check the ‘of which sugars’ figure for the specific variety you’re buying, rather than relying only on its ingredients list or Nutri-Score.

Carrefour Bio

Carrefour offers organic whole peeled tomatoes with a drained net weight of 240 g.

  • The ingredients list provided by Carrefour includes tomatoes, tomato juice and citric acid.
  • The organic label and the tomatoes’ origin don’t tell you their sugar content; compare the ‘of which sugars’ figure for the specific product.

Auchan

The Auchan product mentioned is a 480 g tin of whole peeled tomatoes in juice.

  • Auchan’s listing gives a sugar value of 2.5 g per 100 g for this product.
  • Auchan says the composition may vary depending on where and when you buy it, so check the information on the tin you choose.

D’Aucy

The D’Aucy product mentioned is a 476 g tin of whole peeled tomatoes.

  • The listing shown by Auchan gives a sugar value of 2.5 g per 100 g for this product.
  • The same listing includes salt among the ingredients. If this matters for your recipe, check it separately from the sugar content.

Joybuy products related to this topic

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Does ‘no added sugars’ mean peeled tomatoes contain no sugars?

No. Anses explains that ingredients can contain sugars naturally, even when no sugar has been added. To find out the total sugar content declared for a tin, check the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g.

Is the ‘reduced sugar’ claim enough to help me choose a tin?

No, it doesn’t replace comparing the specific products. Check what the claim is comparing, then read the ingredients and the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g on the tins you’re considering.

How should I store peeled tomatoes after opening?

Follow the instructions on the tin you’ve bought. For the Rochefontaine organic product mentioned, the listing shown by Auchan says to keep it in the fridge in a non-metallic container and use it within two days.

Does an organic tin or one with a Nutri-Score A always contain less sugar?

No. These labels don’t replace checking the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g for each product. Compare this figure on the specific products you’re interested in, rather than assuming their sugar content from the organic label or Nutri-Score.