Who are these criteria useful for?

People looking to reduce their salt intake

If salt is your main consideration, compare the ‘salt’ figures per 100 g drained. ‘In brine’ or ‘plain’ describes a recipe, but doesn’t mean it is reduced in salt.

People comparing portions and energy

To work out how a tin fits into your meal, check its energy, fat and drained weight. Reduced salt alone tells you nothing about these other nutritional values.

People who need to monitor their potassium intake

Auchan’s product information for Connétable’s reduced-salt recipe lists potassium chloride, unlike the manufacturer’s product information we consulted. If this ingredient matters because of your circumstances or treatment, check the tin’s label and ask your healthcare professional for advice.

Which criteria should you check first?

Start by narrowing down the recipes according to what matters most to you — salt, meal composition or ingredients — then compare their nutritional information on the same basis.

Criterion What to check Who is it for?
Salt content The words ‘reduced salt’ and the grams of salt per 100 g drained. If my main aim is to limit the salt from tinned sardines, the word ‘plain’ isn’t enough to guide my choice. Around 50% of consumers are said to prioritise this.
Energy and portion size The kcal and fat per 100 g, as well as the drained weight and portion you’ll eat. When planning my meal, I want to know how many sardines I’ll eat and compare recipes with or without added oil. Around 33% of consumers are said to prioritise this.
Ingredients and storage The ingredients on the tin, including potassium chloride, and the storage instructions after opening. If an ingredient or storage after opening could affect my choice, I check the tin before adding it to my meals. Around 17% of consumers are said to put these questions first.

Which common misunderstandings should you avoid?

  • Confusing ‘plain’ with ‘reduced salt’

    Saupiquet’s plain sardine fillets contain 0.65 g of salt per 100 g drained, while Auchan’s plain sardines contain 0.66 g. Connétable’s reduced-salt recipe contains 0.20 g. These figures apply to the recipes listed, not to all plain sardines.

    Check how the recipe is described, then compare the ‘salt’ figures on the same basis: per 100 g drained.

  • Assuming less salt means fewer calories

    Connétable’s reduced-salt recipe contains around 170 kcal per 100 g drained, compared with 165 kcal for Saupiquet’s plain sardine fillets. Salt content therefore won’t help you compare the energy content of these recipes.

    Compare energy, fat and the amount you plan to eat separately.

  • Overlooking the ingredients in a reduced-salt recipe

    Auchan’s product information for Connétable’s recipe lists potassium chloride, while the manufacturer’s product information we consulted does not. Anses warns that potassium-based salt substitutes may pose risks for some people, particularly those with heart or kidney disease, high blood pressure or diabetes.

    Check the label on the tin you buy. If you need to monitor your potassium intake or are taking relevant medication, seek appropriate medical advice.

  • Forgetting the storage instructions after opening

    Product information for several Connétable, Saupiquet and Auchan recipes says to refrigerate the sardines and eat them within two days of opening.

    Follow the instructions on your tin and bear them in mind if you only plan to use some of it.

Brands and recipes to compare

Connétable

Its sardines in an organic lemon marinade, with no added oil, are labelled ‘reduced salt’.

  • Connétable states that the recipe contains 0.20 g of salt per 100 g drained and claims it has 30% less salt than the average tinned sardine in marinade on the market.
  • Auchan’s product information lists potassium chloride in this recipe, unlike the manufacturer’s product information we consulted. Check the ingredients on the tin you buy.

Saupiquet

Its plain sardine fillets offer a point of comparison for a recipe with no added oil.

  • Saupiquet states that the drained product contains 165 kcal and 0.65 g of salt per 100 g.
  • For this recipe, ‘plain’ does not mean ‘reduced salt’.

Auchan

Auchan’s plain sardines let you compare another recipe with no added oil.

  • Auchan’s product information states that the recipe contains 151 kcal and 0.66 g of salt per 100 g.
  • This plain recipe is not labelled ‘reduced salt’.

E.Leclerc / Pêche Océan

Pêche Océan skinless sardines in olive oil offer a point of comparison for a recipe with added oil.

  • E.Leclerc’s product information states that the fish contains 221 kcal, 13.4 g of fat and 0.5 g of salt per 100 g.
  • This product is not labelled ‘reduced salt’. Before comparing it with figures per 100 g drained, check that the figures are based on the same serving basis.

Carrefour

Carrefour’s product information for a Rödel product in olive oil gives figures worth checking if you’re comparing this type of recipe.

  • The product information states that it contains 1 g of salt and 359 kcal per 100 g.
  • This product is not labelled ‘reduced salt’.

Joybuy products related to this topic

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Frequently asked questions

How can you tell if sardines are reduced in salt?

Look for the words ‘reduced salt’, then compare the ‘salt’ figures on the same basis, for example per 100 g drained. Connétable’s organic lemon recipe contains 0.20 g of salt per 100 g drained. ‘Plain’ or ‘no added oil’ doesn’t mean the same thing.

Does a reduced-salt recipe contain fewer calories?

Not necessarily: reducing salt does not determine the energy content. Connétable states that its reduced-salt organic lemon recipe contains around 170 kcal per 100 g drained, while Saupiquet states that its plain fillets contain 165 kcal per 100 g drained. Compare the fat content and portion size too.

Why should you check whether a tin contains potassium chloride?

This ingredient appears in Auchan’s product information for Connétable’s reduced-salt recipe, but not in the manufacturer’s product information we consulted. That makes the label on the tin you buy essential. Anses warns that potassium-based salt substitutes may pose risks for some people, particularly those with heart or kidney disease, high blood pressure or diabetes. If this applies to you, ask your healthcare professional for advice.

What should you do with an opened tin of sardines?

Follow the storage instructions on the tin. Product information for several Connétable, Saupiquet and Auchan recipes says to refrigerate the sardines after opening and eat them within two days. Check the instructions for the specific product you buy.