For a workplace canteen, compare the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g across rice products that serve the same purpose on the menu, rather than using a single figure to infer a ‘reduced sugar’ claim. BEN’S ORIGINAL France lists 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g for its Wholegrain Express Rice and 2.5 g for its Mediterranean recipe. The pouch format, reheating and ingredients are also key factors when planning service.
You compare rice products that are ready to reheat without assuming that a flavoured recipe contains less sugar than plain rice. The Anses distinguishes sugars from starch, so the ‘of which sugars’ line does not, on its own, sum up the product’s carbohydrates. The ingredients list also helps you assess the composition of each recipe.
You need to match the number of diners with the capacity of the available microwaves or pans. For the BEN’S ORIGINAL products reviewed, the brand specifies two minutes in the microwave or three minutes in a pan. You’ll also need to work out how many 220 g pouches your team can prepare.
You may be looking for either a rice base to pair with other ingredients or a ready-made dish whose ingredients suit the menu. BEN’S ORIGINAL Wholegrain Express Rice has a short ingredients list, while the TABLES DU MONDE Cantonese Rice recipe described by E.Leclerc includes egg, wheat flour and fish sauce, among other ingredients.
First, decide whether the rice will be a side dish, a flavoured recipe or a complete dish. Then compare the nutritional information for products intended for the same use, and check that their format and ingredients are suitable for the service you have planned.
| Criterion | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Declared sugars | Compare the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g across recipes intended for the same use, and read their ingredients lists. Don’t confuse this figure with total carbohydrates. | If my priority is to limit declared sugars, I want to compare recipes without treating sugars as the same thing as the starch in rice. Around 42% of consumers put this need first. |
| Service pace and portions | Compare the weight and stated number of portions with the number of diners, then check that the reheating instructions suit the equipment available. | When you need to serve lots of meals in a short time, I need to know how many pouches the team can reheat and portion out. Around 33% of consumers put this need first. |
| Menu suitability | Check the ingredients and allergens in the product you buy, and distinguish a side dish from a complete dish. | To include rice in a range of menus, I prefer a product whose ingredients suit the diners’ dietary restrictions. Around 25% of consumers prioritise this compatibility. |
The Anses distinguishes sugars from starch. So a low figure on the ‘of which sugars’ line does not mean the rice is low in total carbohydrates.
When writing a product specification or presenting the menu, consider sugars, total carbohydrates and the composition of the dish being served separately.
A figure per 100 g describes the product, but it is not enough to establish a reduction compared with a similar product. Nutrition claims used in food communications are governed by Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006.
State the ‘of which sugars’ figure as it appears on the label. Before making a reduction claim, check which claim applies to the product and what it should be compared with.
BEN’S ORIGINAL Wholegrain Express Rice comes in a 220 g pouch, with two portions stated. Even with a short reheating time for each pouch, the number of packs and handling steps can affect how a canteen operates.
Calculate the quantities you need to serve, compare them with the equipment available, and ask your supplier about formats and technical specifications suited to your operation.
The TABLES DU MONDE Cantonese Rice described by E.Leclerc contains ham, egg, wheat flour and fish sauce, among other ingredients. It serves a different purpose on the menu from plain rice that you pair with other ingredients separately.
First compare side dishes with one another, then compare flavoured recipes and complete dishes according to their intended use, ingredients and any dietary restrictions you need to accommodate.
These examples cover different types of rice and sales channels. Their features should not be taken to apply to every product from the same brand or retailer.
The Express Rice range includes 220 g pouches for reheating, including a wholegrain rice and a Mediterranean recipe.
Its 400 g Cantonese Rice, described by E.Leclerc, is a complete dish and should be assessed separately from plain rice served as a side.
This retailer sells express rice products; it is not being assessed here as a manufacturer of cooked rice.
These products suit two different uses: cooked rice to pair with other menu items, and ready-to-heat flavoured rice. Before choosing either for a canteen, make sure the format suits the number of diners and check the nutritional information and ingredients.
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This cooked rice can be used as a base for a side dish, with the other ingredients chosen separately. With a pack of three, check how many units you’ll need, along with the reheating instructions and your service capacity.
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The individual bowl is a convenient option for serving cooked rice with other ingredients prepared separately. Before adding it to your service, check the reheating instructions, the quantities you’ll need and the ingredients listed on the product you buy.
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This flavoured recipe serves a different purpose from plain rice that you season in the kitchen. Check the presence of milk listed for this product against the menus you serve, then make sure the reheating instructions and portion size work for your service volume.
No. The Anses distinguishes sugars from starch, which is also found in rice. To compare declared sugars, use the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g, without presenting it as a measure of total carbohydrates.
According to information from BEN’S ORIGINAL France and E.Leclerc, BEN’S ORIGINAL Wholegrain Express Rice contains 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g, TABLES DU MONDE Cantonese Rice contains 1.5 g, and BEN’S ORIGINAL Mediterranean Express Rice contains 2.5 g. As the Cantonese rice is a complete dish, don’t choose between these three products based on this figure alone. Also consider their place on the menu and their ingredients.
No. A low ‘of which sugars’ figure is not enough to justify this claim. Nutrition claims are governed by Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. Before using wording that suggests a reduction, check which claim applies to the product and which product it should be compared with.
Not necessarily. BEN’S ORIGINAL lists its Wholegrain Express Rice in a 220 g pouch for two portions, with a stated reheating time of two minutes in the microwave or three minutes in a pan. Calculate how many pouches you’ll need to prepare and check that your equipment, portioning and handling processes suit the service you have planned.
Check the ingredients and allergens listed on the product you actually buy. The TABLES DU MONDE Cantonese Rice listing from E.Leclerc includes egg, wheat flour and fish sauce, among other ingredients. Assess it as a complete dish, rather than as plain rice.