Hosts looking to limit salt
You’re preparing several dishes at home and want to take account of the salt in stock cubes, without giving up using stock to season your food.
Who is this choice for?
People looking to cut down on sugar
Your priority is sugar, so a “reduced salt” or “salt-free” claim isn’t enough. For example, the ingredients list for Knorr’s salt-free vegetable stock cube includes glucose syrup and sugar.
Cooks who pay attention to serving sizes and allergens
When making soup, a sauce or a dish for several guests, you’ll need to adjust the number of cubes to the quantity you’re making and check the label of your chosen product if anyone needs to avoid an allergen.
What should you check?
First, decide whether your priority is sugar or salt. Then choose a stock cube that suits the dish, and check the serving guidance and ingredients before cooking for a group.
| Criteria | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Sugar | The exact claim on the packaging, then the “of which sugars” line and ingredients, comparing like with like. | If I’m specifically looking to cut down on sugar, a claim about salt doesn’t meet my needs; around 42% of consumers put checking sugar first. |
| Salt | The difference between “reduced salt” and “salt-free”, as well as the amount of salt stated for the prepared stock. | If I’m seasoning several dishes without automatically adding salt, I want to stay in control of what I use; around 33% of consumers prioritise salt. |
| Recipe and serving size | The type of stock, the volume intended per cube, and the ingredients or allergen information on the pack. | When I’m cooking for guests with different needs, the stock needs to suit both the menu and everyone at the table; around 25% of consumers prioritise these preparation factors. |
Common mix-ups to avoid
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Confusing “reduced salt” with “reduced sugar”
A claim that a stock cube contains less salt tells you nothing about its sugar content. Check the claims separately.
If sugar is the reason for your choice, compare the “of which sugars” line and ingredients on similar products rather than relying on the word “reduced” alone.
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Assuming “reduced salt” means “salt-free”
Knorr says its reduced-salt vegetable stock contains 25% less salt than the average stock cube on the market, excluding reduced-salt products. This doesn’t mean the cube is salt-free.
If you want to decide for yourself whether to add salt to a dish, distinguish this product from the vegetable stock cube explicitly described as salt-free.
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Using extra cubes without considering the quantity
Some Knorr and Maggi products recommend one stock cube or tablet per 500 ml. Preparing a different quantity of liquid changes the proportion of stock you use.
Work out how many cubes you need based on the volume in your recipe, and taste the dish before adding any other seasoning.
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Assuming you know the ingredients from the product name
A description such as “vegetable” or “organic” doesn’t tell you everything about the sugar or allergens. For example, the ingredients list for an ECO chicken stock cube published by E.Leclerc includes sugar and celery.
For each guest with specific needs, check the ingredients and allergen information on the exact pack before using it.
Brands to know
Knorr
The range includes a reduced-salt vegetable stock cube and a salt-free vegetable stock cube.
- According to Knorr France, its reduced-salt product contains 25% less salt than the average stock cube on the market, excluding reduced-salt products.
- The ingredients in the salt-free product include glucose syrup and sugar, so its name doesn’t mean it contains less sugar.
Maggi
The Kub Or and chicken stock products listed by Auchan include cubes advertised as containing 25% less salt.
- The chicken stock cube product information recommends one 10 g cube per 500 ml of water.
- The claim relates to salt; it doesn’t mean the product contains less sugar.
Carrefour
Carrefour France lists a reduced-salt Carrefour Original chicken stock cube among its products.
- The product name helps you identify a stock cube whose claim relates to salt.
- If you’re choosing based on sugar or allergens, check the information for the specific product.
E.Leclerc
E.Leclerc lists stock cubes from ranges including ECO and Bio Village.
- The stock type and pack size are included in the product names.
- The product information for the ECO chicken stock cube lists salt, sugar and celery; a range name is no substitute for checking the ingredients.
Auchan
Auchan lists stock cubes, including reduced-salt Maggi products.
- Some product information gives details of the product and its serving guidance, which can help you prepare the quantity you need.
- If sugar is your priority, check the nutritional information and ingredients separately.
Joybuy products
Related products coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
Does a reduced-salt stock cube also contain less sugar?
No. A claim about salt doesn’t show that a product contains less sugar. The Knorr and Maggi products mentioned highlight their salt content; check separately for any sugar claim, the “of which sugars” line and the ingredients.
Is salt-free stock necessarily sugar-free?
No. The ingredients list for Knorr’s salt-free vegetable stock cube includes glucose syrup and sugar. “Salt-free” doesn’t describe its sugar content.
How should you portion stock cubes when cooking for several people?
Start with the liquid quantity recommended on the instructions for your chosen product. Knorr and Maggi product information recommends one stock cube or tablet per 500 ml. Anses also advises checking the label and limiting the amount of salt added during cooking and at the table.
How can you check the allergens in a stock cube?
Read the ingredients and allergen information on the pack of the product you’ve bought. Recipes vary: for example, the product information for an ECO chicken stock cube published by E.Leclerc lists celery.
Is the “reduced sugar” claim regulated in France?
Yes. In the European Union, nutrition claims used on food products are regulated by Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. When choosing a stock cube, check that the claim on the specific product relates to sugar, not salt.