If you’re specifically looking for sugar-free fruit pastes for the October half-term holidays, don’t assume that a traditional fruit paste or a product labelled ‘no added sugar’ is equivalent. The options we checked at E.Leclerc and Joybuy contain sugar and glucose syrup, while the Andros product listed by Auchan contains 9.3 g of sugars per 100 g and needs to be kept chilled. If you’re happy to consider a different type of sweet, check its product name, ingredients, ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g and storage instructions before you buy.
If you’re looking for a fruity snack to take with you, make sure you distinguish traditional fruit paste from a sweet that’s described as sugar-free. The French food safety agency Anses points out that ingredients which give a sweet taste can appear under various names on packaging. So it’s worth paying as much attention to the ingredients list as to how the product is presented.
You may prefer the texture and format of this type of sweet, even though the examples we checked don’t meet the ‘sugar-free’ criterion. The product listings for fruit pastes from E.Leclerc and Joybuy both state that they contain sugar and glucose syrup.
You want to compare the claims on the front of the pack with the ingredients and sugars per 100 g. In France, the DGCCRF says that nutrition declarations generally apply to prepacked foods, while the Ministry of the Economy explains that displaying Nutri-Score is voluntary.
First, decide exactly what you mean by ‘sugar-free’. Then compare that requirement with the format you want for your journey and the information on the label.
| Criterion | What to check | Who it’s for |
|---|---|---|
| ‘Sugar-free’ requirement | Compare the product name, sweetening ingredients and ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g. | I want this requirement to come before the texture of a traditional fruit paste. Around 50% of consumers prioritise a composition that meets the ‘sugar-free’ criterion. |
| On-the-go format | Check the packaging and storage instructions, particularly whether the product needs to be kept chilled. | For a day out, my first priority is a format that’s easy to carry and similar to the sweets I know. Around 33% of consumers would make this their priority. |
| Comparing labels | Read the nutritional values per 100 g, ingredients and allergen information. Check the Nutri-Score if it appears on the packaging. | Before choosing between several treats, I want to compare their nutritional information rather than relying on a single claim. This is the main concern for around 17% of consumers. |
The Provençal fruit paste listed by E.Leclerc contains sugar and glucose syrup, and has 72 g of sugars per 100 g. The Joybuy traditional fruit paste listing also includes both ingredients.
If you need a sugar-free product, check the ingredients and the ‘of which sugars’ figure rather than relying on the presence of fruit purée alone.
The Andros product listed by Auchan is labelled ‘no added sugar’, but contains 9.3 g of sugars per 100 g. It isn’t a fruit paste either.
Decide whether you’re looking for no added sugar, a specific figure on the label or a sweet described as sugar-free. These criteria don’t describe the same product.
According to the Ministry of the Economy, displaying Nutri-Score is voluntary in France. If it’s not shown, you still need to check the nutrition declaration, which generally applies to prepacked foods.
If it is displayed, use it as an extra guide and also check sugars per 100 g, ingredients and allergen information.
Auchan recommends storing the Andros no-added-sugar fruit product at around +6 °C. So you can’t transport it in the same way as a sweet that doesn’t need to be refrigerated.
Before taking it with you, check the packaging instructions and make sure you can keep it at the stated temperature during the journey.
Its fruit paste range lets you browse traditional options from a range of brands and product lines.
The retailer lists Provençal fruit pastes, including options in the Nos Régions ont du Talent range.
The retailer lists Andros Cœur de Fruits peach, a chilled fruit snack that’s different from fruit pastes.
These two options are gummy sweets described as sugar-free. They may be worth considering if you’re happy to choose a different type of sweet from fruit paste for the October half-term holidays. Before buying, compare the product listing with the packet label, particularly the ingredients and any warnings.
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Consider these if you’d like a portable ginger and lemon treat and are happy with gummy sweets instead of fruit paste. The listing mentions coconut and a warning about excessive consumption. Check the ingredients and warning on the packet.
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Consider these if you prefer cola flavour and are happy to choose gummy sweets rather than fruit paste. The listing mentions polyols. Check the quantity, ingredients list and warnings on the packet before choosing this product.
No. The Ministry of the Economy says that displaying Nutri-Score is voluntary in France, while the DGCCRF states that a nutrition declaration is generally compulsory for prepacked foods. To compare sugar levels, check this declaration per 100 g.
No. The Andros no-added-sugar product listed by Auchan contains 9.3 g of sugars per 100 g. Check the ‘of which sugars’ figure to see the amount stated for the product in question.
Yes, as long as you can follow its storage instructions during the journey. The Auchan listing for the Andros product we checked recommends a temperature of around +6 °C. Check the packaging and plan how you’ll transport it accordingly.
Not if you’re specifically looking for fruit paste: a gummy sweet is a different type of confectionery. Anses explains that intense sweeteners are used to give foods a sweet taste. Their presence alone doesn’t tell you about the product’s texture, other ingredients or nutritional values.