Who are these pack sizes for?

Parents preparing one lunchbox at a time

If you want to open a small amount without having to store leftovers, Auchan’s multipacks of small tins of chickpeas or lentils are designed to make portioning easy.

Families preparing several meals in advance

A tin with 265 g to 530 g drained weight can provide several lunchbox portions or meals, as long as you plan how to use the contents and follow the storage instructions after opening.

Shoppers who check ingredients and allergen traces

The exact recipe and any allergen trace information matter when you’re choosing a product. Auchan notes that these details can vary by online grocery service and purchase date, so check the label on the tin you receive.

What should you look for?

To choose between small tins, a larger pack and a ready-to-eat product, start with how much you use at each meal. Then check the recipe and storage instructions for the product you choose.

What to consider What to check Who it matters to
A portion with no leftovers The drained weight of each tin, not just the total weight of the multipack: Auchan lists chickpeas in 3 × 125 g packs and lentils in 3 × 130 g packs. When I’m preparing just one lunchbox, I’d rather open a small tin than have to store leftovers. Around 33% of shoppers put this need first.
Stock for several meals The number of tins, their drained weight and the meals you have planned after opening each one. If I’m preparing several portions, I can divide a larger tin between them without leaving any contents unused. For around 25% of shoppers, this way of planning comes before other considerations.
Recipe and labelling The ingredients list, nutritional information including salt, and any allergen or trace statements on the packaging you buy. When a meal needs particular care with its ingredients, I need to be able to check the label on the product being served. This is a priority for around 25% of shoppers.
Variety at mealtimes The type of pulse and whether it’s plain or part of a prepared recipe. To avoid serving the same thing every time, I choose between chickpeas, lentils, beans or mixed pulses, depending on the meal I’m planning. Around 17% of shoppers prioritise variety.

Mistakes to avoid

  • Comparing only the total size of the multipack

    Multipacks can contain very different amounts in each tin. If you’re preparing just one lunchbox, the amount you open each time is what determines whether you’ll need to store leftovers.

    Compare the drained weight per tin with the number of portions you actually prepare.

  • Treating the online grocery listing as the definitive label

    Auchan says that the ingredients, allergen traces and country of manufacture for some products can vary by online grocery service and purchase date.

    Check the label on the product you receive, especially the ingredients list and any allergen or trace statements.

  • Opening a large tin without planning what to do with the leftovers

    For the products concerned, Auchan’s listings advise transferring any unused contents to an airtight container, refrigerating them and eating them within two days.

    Plan how you’ll use the remaining portions before opening the tin, and follow the instructions on its packaging.

  • Confusing plain pulses with prepared recipes

    A tin of chickpeas containing chickpeas, water and salt won’t necessarily have the same recipe as prepared lentils or a ready-to-eat meal.

    If you want to put the lunchbox together yourself, read the ingredients list and nutritional information for the product you choose.

Brands to compare

Carrefour Classic'

Carrefour’s catalogue results include individual tins of chickpeas as well as a 3 × 200 g multipack.

  • The listing for one product describes a recipe made with soaked chickpeas, water and salt.
  • Check the drained weight and recipe for the specific product: the pack sizes don’t all correspond to the same portion.

Notre Jardin

This own-label brand appears in the E.Leclerc catalogue, including 265 g drained-weight tins of lentils.

  • The individual pack size makes it easy to compare the amount you need with the number of meals you’ve planned.
  • If you want to buy several tins together, check the pack format offered by your store.

Auchan

Auchan lists multipacks of small tins of chickpeas in 3 × 125 g packs and lentils in 3 × 130 g packs.

  • The separate tins let you open one at a time.
  • Ingredients and allergen trace information can vary by online grocery service and purchase date, so use the label on the product you receive to make your choice.

Bonduelle

Auchan lists a Bonduelle multipack of chickpeas in 3 × 265 g tins, giving the pack a total drained weight of 795 g.

  • You can open the three tins separately when you have several meals planned.
  • Auchan’s listing shows 0,6 g of salt per 100 g for this product; compare its label with those of the other products you’re considering.

Fleurs des Champs (ALDI)

ALDI offers Fleurs des Champs prepared lentils in a 530 g tin.

  • This amount can be divided between several meals if you plan ahead.
  • As these are prepared lentils, check the recipe and nutritional information if you’re looking for a plain base.

Related Joybuy products

Related products will be available soon.

Frequently asked questions

What weight should I look at when preparing a school lunchbox?

Check the drained weight per tin rather than the total weight of the multipack. The 125 g or 130 g small tins listed by Auchan let you open one at a time; with a larger tin, you’ll need to plan how to use the contents.

Should I rinse tinned chickpeas for a cold salad?

Follow the instructions on the tin you choose. Auchan’s listing for one chickpea product says to drain and rinse the chickpeas before serving them cold.

How should I store the contents of an opened tin?

Follow the instructions on the packaging for the product you’ve opened. For Auchan chickpeas, the listing advises transferring them to an airtight container, refrigerating them and eating them within two days. Plan your next meals accordingly.

Is a simple recipe enough to rule out allergen traces?

No. Check both the ingredients list and any allergen trace statements on the tin you actually buy. Auchan says these statements can vary by product, online grocery service and purchase date. If a child has an allergy, follow the individual guidance that applies to them.