None of the three ready-to-heat rice products compared for Christmas Eve can be described as “low energy”: Carrefour’s product listings show 157 to 168 kcal per 100 g, while Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 sets a maximum of 40 kcal per 100 g for a solid food to make this claim. When choosing a side dish, compare the figures per 100 g with the portion you plan to serve. Plain rice lets you choose your own toppings, while a pre-seasoned recipe calls for a closer look at its ingredients.
If you’re comparing ready-to-heat rice for Christmas Eve, check the kcal per 100 g first, then consider how much you plan to serve. A lower figure among a handful of products isn’t enough to qualify a product as “low energy”.
When you have several dishes to prepare, rice that’s ready in two or three minutes can make serving easier. Still, check the reheating instructions and the ingredients of the product you choose.
You may be looking for a wholegrain rice blend, but you should still check the ingredients and allergen information on the exact pack. The Nutri-Score is no substitute for these details.
When choosing rice to serve on Christmas Eve, start with the portion you have in mind. Then compare the recipes based on how much time you have to prepare them, the type of rice and any ingredients your guests need to avoid.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Energy and portion size | Compare the kcal per 100 g, then consider the amount you’ll serve and any toppings you’ll add. | If I want to adjust the amount of rice on my plate, the figure per 100 g alone doesn’t tell me how much I’ll serve. Around 31% of consumers would make this a priority. |
| Preparation time | Check the stated preparation time and the reheating instructions on the pack. | When other Christmas Eve dishes are already keeping me busy in the kitchen, I want to be able to prepare the side dish quickly. Around 31% of consumers would share this priority. |
| Rice type and ingredients | Read the ingredients list to distinguish plain rice, wholegrain rice blends and seasoned recipes. | If I prefer a wholegrain rice blend or want to choose the seasoning myself, the recipe matters more than how the product is presented. Around 23% of consumers would make this their main consideration. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Check the allergens, any “may contain” warnings and the ingredients for the exact pack size. | If I’m serving someone who needs to avoid certain ingredients, I need to check the pack that will actually be prepared. Ingredient suitability would be a priority for around 15% of consumers. |
A product may contain fewer kcal per 100 g than another without meeting the requirements for the regulated claim. For a solid food, Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 sets a maximum of 40 kcal per 100 g; according to Carrefour, the three rice products compared contain between 157 and 168 kcal per 100 g.
Compare the nutritional values on the same 100 g basis, and don’t describe these products as “low calorie”.
The pack sizes listed aren’t the same: CEREAL BIO Trio au naturel and SUZI WAN Riz Long Épicé come in 220 g packs, while BEN’S ORIGINAL Long Grain comes in a 450 g pack. The calories in a whole pack won’t necessarily match your portion.
Start with the kcal per 100 g, then take into account the amount you’ll serve and any toppings you plan to add.
According to Carrefour, CEREAL BIO teriyaki-style rice contains, among other things, soya, wheat and sesame. You can’t assume that another recipe from the same brand has the same ingredients.
Check the ingredients, highlighted allergens and any “may contain” warnings on the exact product.
The Nutri-Score doesn’t tell you what portion you’ll serve, and a quick preparation time says nothing about allergens. Santé publique France describes the Nutri-Score as a label that manufacturers can choose to display voluntarily.
Also check the nutritional information, ingredients list and storage instructions on the pack.
The details below relate to specific products listed by Carrefour, not every rice product from each brand.
The 450 g Long Grain rice is advertised as ready in three minutes in the microwave or in a frying pan.
The 220 g Trio au naturel combines wholegrain basmati rice, wholegrain red rice and black rice, among other varieties. It’s advertised as ready in two minutes.
Riz Long Épicé is a seasoned recipe advertised as ready in two minutes in the microwave or in a frying pan.
No. For a solid food, Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 reserves the claim “low energy”, or any wording with the same meaning, for products containing no more than 40 kcal per 100 g. CEREAL BIO Trio au naturel, listed by Carrefour at 157 kcal per 100 g, doesn’t meet this requirement.
No. It doesn’t replace comparing the kcal per 100 g with the portion you’ll serve, or checking the ingredients and allergens. Santé publique France says manufacturers can choose whether to display it.
Check the ingredients and allergens for the exact recipe, including any “may contain” warnings. Carrefour’s listing for CEREAL BIO teriyaki-style rice specifies soya, wheat and sesame, among other ingredients. These shouldn’t be assumed to be present in every product from the brand.
Follow the instructions on the product you’ve bought. For example, the Joybuy listing for BEN’S ORIGINAL tomato and olive oil 220 g says to refrigerate it in an airtight container after opening and eat it within 48 hours. Don’t apply this guidance to other rice products without checking their packaging.