Shoppers keeping an eye on sugar
You’re looking for a soup to serve alongside a barbecue and want to tell a genuine “reduced sugars” claim apart from an impression created by the recipe name alone.
Who might find this useful?
Hosts keeping an eye on salt
You’re planning to serve soup with other salty foods and want to compare the salt per portion, not just the sugars. Anses lists soups and broths among the foods that contribute to salt intake.
Shoppers thinking about portions
You need a long-life soup that’s easy to plan for the number of guests, whether you’re after a family-sized pack, a small portion or dried soup to prepare.
What should you check before buying?
When serving long-life soup with a barbecue, start with the sugar claim and nutrition table. Then consider what the recipe will add to the meal and whether the pack size suits the portions you have in mind.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Reduced sugars | Look for the “reduced sugars” claim on the soup you’re considering, and compare “of which sugars” per 100 g or 100 ml across similar soups. | If reducing sugars is my main priority, I want to distinguish a comparative claim from a standard nutrition figure; around 36% of consumers would put this first. |
| Salt in the meal | Compare the salt per 100 g or 100 ml, then check the amount in the portion you plan to serve. A “less salt” claim doesn’t tell you about the sugars. | With sauces, cured meats or cheese on the menu, I want to take the soup’s salt content into account too; this would be the top priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients list and allergen declarations, including any “may contain” warnings, for the exact product. | If a guest needs to avoid an ingredient, the name “vegetable soup” isn’t enough for me to choose; around 21% of consumers would put recipe suitability first. |
| Portions and storage | Check the volume, number of portions, preparation instructions and guidance for after opening. | When I’m only planning a few bowls, I’d rather choose a size I can use without creating lots of leftovers; this would be the priority for around 14% of consumers. |
What should you look out for?
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Confusing a recipe name with reduced sugars
A vegetable soup isn’t necessarily “reduced sugars”. For this comparative claim, the DGCCRF says a reduction of at least 30% compared with a similar product is required; it doesn’t mean “sugar-free”.
Look for the claim on the soup you’re buying, then compare the “of which sugars” figure with similar soups using the same unit.
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Checking the sugars but not the salt
Anses lists soups and broths among the foods that contribute to salt intake. On Auchan’s product page for Liebig PurSoup’ 12 vegetables “less salt” soup, a 250 ml portion still contains 1.3 g of salt.
Compare the salt in the amount you plan to serve, particularly if other barbecue foods are salty.
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Assuming vegetable soup is suitable for everyone
Auchan’s product page for Liebig 10 vegetables soup lists celery, milk and butter, among other ingredients, and warns that traces of other allergens may be present.
Check the ingredients and allergen information for the exact recipe before serving it to guests who need to avoid certain foods.
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Choosing a large pack without planning for leftovers
A family-sized pack may be more than you need if soup is just a side dish. For Liebig PurSoup’ 12 vegetables soup, Auchan advises keeping it in the fridge and consuming it within 48 hours of opening.
Estimate how many bowls you’ll serve and check the storage instructions for your chosen soup before settling on a pack size.
Brands and retailers to look at
Royco
Royco offers several ranges of dried soups, including Classique, Crémeux and Vermicelles.
- Soup you prepare as needed can be a good option when you only need a small amount.
- Check the specific recipe for sugars, salt, allergens and any “reduced sugars” claim.
Carrefour
Carrefour offers own-brand liquid soups in different pack sizes, including 1 L and 2 × 30 cl.
- These pack sizes let you choose according to the number of portions you’re planning.
- Pack size doesn’t tell you about the sugars, so compare the nutrition label for each recipe.
Auchan
Auchan lists several Liebig soups in 1 L cartons, including a “less salt” recipe.
- Product pages for some varieties give details of ingredients, allergens, nutrition values and storage after opening.
- “Less salt” and “reduced sugars” are two different claims, so check each one on the product you choose.
Soups to explore on Joybuy
Products related to this topic will be available soon.
Frequently asked questions
What does “reduced sugars” mean on a soup sold in France?
It’s a comparative claim which, according to DGCCRF guidance, requires a reduction of at least 30% compared with a similar product. Check that it appears on the recipe you’re buying: it doesn’t mean the soup is sugar-free.
Should I compare sugars per 100 ml or per bowl?
Start by comparing “of which sugars” per 100 ml across similar liquid soups, then check the amount you’ll actually serve. For dried soup, follow the preparation instructions and compare values expressed on the same basis.
Why check the salt if I’m looking for reduced-sugar soup?
Because they’re separate things: a claim about sugars doesn’t tell you how much salt the soup contains. Anses lists soups and broths among the foods that contribute to salt intake, so check the figure for the portion you’ll serve too.
How long can you keep liquid soup after opening?
Follow the instructions for the specific product you’ve bought. For Liebig PurSoup’ 12 vegetables soup, Auchan advises keeping it in the fridge and consuming it within 48 hours of opening; this guidance may not apply to other soups.
Is vegetable soup always free from allergens?
No. Auchan’s product page for Liebig 10 vegetables soup lists celery, milk and butter, among other ingredients, and warns that traces of other allergens may be present. Read the allergen declaration for the exact recipe before serving it to anyone who needs to avoid particular foods.