Who are these options for?

People who want to control added salt

You’re looking for plain rice with a salt content that suits you, and want to decide how it’s seasoned too – including whether or not to salt the cooking water.

Organisers preparing several portions

You need a format that’s easy to cook and drain in larger quantities. If the instructions recommend salted water, you can adapt this step to suit your recipe.

Organisers short on time

You’re looking for plain rice that’s quick to prepare. Before serving it to others, check the exact product, its ingredients and any allergen information.

What should you check before buying?

When choosing rice for a group meal, first check the ‘salt’ figure per 100 g for the exact product. Then choose a format based on how many portions you need, how much time you have and what cooking equipment is available.

Criterion What to check Who this matters to
Salt in the finished dish Compare the salt listed per 100 g on the packs, then decide whether or not to salt the cooking water. I want to control the salt in the dish, not just in the rice before cooking; around 44% of consumers make this a priority.
Preparing larger quantities Check the number and weight of the sachets, as well as the cooking time, on the pack you buy. I need a format that’s easy to cook and drain when preparing several portions; around 33% of consumers prioritise preparing larger quantities.
Time available Check that it’s the plain variety, the stated preparation time and the equipment needed to heat it. If time is short before the sale, I need plain rice I can prepare with the equipment available; around 23% of consumers prioritise speed.

Things to bear in mind

  • Assuming the salt listed for the rice is the same as the salt in the dish you serve

    The nutritional information on the pack doesn’t include any salt you might add to the cooking water, sauces or other ingredients. Anses recommends limiting added salt during preparation.

    Compare the ‘salt’ figure for your chosen rice, then plan to cook it without added salt if that’s what your recipe calls for.

  • Switching from plain rice to a flavoured variety without checking the label again

    Check the salt content and ingredients for the specific recipe and format you’re buying. A quick preparation time doesn’t tell you what the product contains.

    Check the variety name, ingredients, salt per 100 g and instructions on the packaging.

  • Forgetting to check allergen information before serving others

    Warnings can vary between products. The family-size Ben’s Original quick-cook rice mentioned in the product information carries a warning that it may contain traces of allergens. For pre-packed food sold in France, the DGCCRF says allergenic ingredients must be listed and highlighted.

    Read the packaging of the product you’re actually using and check the school’s requirements for the sale.

Rice brands to know

Taureau Ailé

The brand offers a range of aromatic dried rice. The products reviewed take around 11 to 13 minutes to cook, depending on the variety.

  • Taureau Ailé lists 0 g of salt per 100 g for its Riz Parfumé Sélection Exclusive and 0.01 g per 100 g for its Thai rice.
  • The instructions for these products recommend salted water, so adjust the cooking method if you want to limit added salt.

Ben’s Original

The range includes a 220 g pouch of plain quick-cook long-grain rice.

  • Auchan’s product information lists less than 0.01 g of salt per 100 g for this product. It takes 2 minutes in the microwave or 3 minutes in a frying pan.
  • Check the variety and information on the packaging: the details for the 220 g pouch shouldn’t be assumed to apply to every format.

Auchan

The retailer offers, among other products, parboiled long-grain rice in 5 × 200 g boil-in-the-bag sachets.

  • Auchan’s product information lists 0.02 g of salt per 100 g for this product and a cooking time of 10 minutes.
  • The product information says that the ingredients may vary depending on the store and purchase date, so check the packaging of the product you use.

Joybuy products

Products related to this topic will be available soon.

Frequently asked questions

Can plain rice automatically be described as ‘reduced salt’?

No. The amount of salt listed for plain rice isn’t, on its own, enough to justify this comparative claim. Instead, compare the salt per 100 g listed for the products you’re considering. Don’t turn that comparison into a claim about the finished dish.

How can you avoid adding salt to rice while it cooks?

If you want to limit added salt, you can cook rice in unsalted water, even if the instructions recommend salting it. Anses recommends limiting added salt during preparation, so remember to take sauces and other ingredients in your recipe into account too.

What should you check if food is being sold at a school cake sale?

For pre-packed food sold in France, the DGCCRF says, among other things, that the labelling must be in French and allergenic ingredients must be highlighted. If you’re offering homemade or unpackaged food, ask the school what requirements apply to the sale rather than assuming that the rules for pre-packed food are the only ones that matter.

Is plain quick-cook rice a good option when you need to prepare food quickly?

The 220 g pouch of Ben’s Original plain quick-cook long-grain rice could be a good option if you have a microwave or frying pan. Auchan’s product information gives a preparation time of 2 or 3 minutes respectively, and lists less than 0.01 g of salt per 100 g. Before using it in food you’ll serve to others, check the packaging of the variety you’ve bought, especially the allergen information.