Anyone planning several quick dinners
If you cook with mackerel several evenings a week, a multipack means you can keep tins on hand for different meals. Check that the number of tins suits the way you’ll use them.
Who are these formats suited to?
Anyone who prefers to add their own seasoning
Plain mackerel lets you choose how to use it in a salad, pasta or on toast. Be sure to check the ingredients list, as it can vary from tin to tin.
Anyone keeping an eye on labels and leftovers
Before stocking up, compare the drained weight where shown, allergens, salt content and storage instructions after opening.
What should you check before buying?
First decide whether you’ll use several tins and whether you want to season the fish yourself. Then compare the specific products rather than relying only on the number of tins or the recipe name.
| Criteria | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Multipack format | Number of tins, weight per tin and drained net weight where shown; also check the date on the packaging. | I regularly make mackerel dinners and want to keep a few tins handy without buying too many. Around 40% of consumers would prioritise this need to stock up. |
| Plain recipe | Ingredients list and drained weight if the fish is packed in liquid. | When making my own salad or pasta, I prefer to start with a tin I can season to taste; around 30% of consumers would make this their priority. |
| Seasoned recipe | Flavour, ingredients, allergens and salt content per 100 g for the exact product. | When dinner needs to be put together quickly, I look for a recipe I can serve without preparing any seasoning. Around 20% of consumers would put this convenience first. |
| Label and leftovers | Allergens and ‘may contain’ statements, whether the tin is intact, and instructions for after opening. | If I need to take allergens into account or avoid leaving an opened tin unused, I check this information before stocking up; around 10% of consumers would make it their priority. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Comparing multipacks by tin count alone
At Auchan, the Saupiquet plain multipack is listed as 3 × 169 g, while Carrefour’s Petit Navire grilled plain multipack is 3 × 110 g. So three tins don’t necessarily contain the same amount.
Compare the weight per tin and, where shown on the label, the drained net weight before choosing a format that suits your meals.
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Assuming a sauce-based recipe is the same as plain mackerel
The ingredients listed for Auchan’s Saupiquet barbecue-flavoured recipe include tomato purée, vinegar, sugar and xanthan gum, as well as mackerel.
Choose between a plain base you can season yourself and a ready-to-serve recipe, then check the ingredients and the ‘salt’ line on the tin you’ve chosen.
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Treating an opened tin like an unopened cupboard staple
The storage instructions for the Saupiquet and Auchan products reviewed say to keep them in the fridge after opening and eat them within 48 hours.
Plan how you’ll use any leftovers and follow the label instructions, including advice on the storage container.
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Forgetting about allergens in an assortment
Ingredients and possible traces can vary from one recipe to another. The DGCCRF says that allergens must be highlighted on the labels of prepacked foods.
Check every recipe intended for someone with an allergy, including any ‘may contain’ statements.
Brands to compare
Saupiquet
The Auchan range includes a plain multipack of 3 × 169 g and a barbecue-flavoured recipe in a 3 × 120 g multipack.
- Auchan’s plain multipack contains mackerel fillets, water and salt.
- The barbecue recipe has a different composition. Check the label for the specific product rather than assuming the plain multipack’s ingredients apply to the whole range.
Petit Navire
Carrefour lists plain grilled mackerel fillets in a multipack of 3 × 110 g.
- This format lets you compare 110 g tins with the other multipacks mentioned in this article.
- Check that the product you want is available before planning your meals around this multipack.
Carrefour Extra
Carrefour’s plain mackerel fillets are sold in a tin with a drained net weight of 98 g.
- The product listing gives the ingredients as mackerel fillets, water, salt and spices.
- This product may contain traces of mustard and milk. Check the information on the tin you buy.
Auchan
The products mentioned include plain fillets and plain grilled fillets, each in a 120 g tin.
- The listing for the plain fillets states that they contain 99% mackerel fillets and salt.
- The plain grilled fillets have a different composition from the plain fillets. Check the label for the product you choose.
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Frequently asked questions
How long can you keep tinned mackerel after opening?
Follow the instructions on the tin you’ve bought. The product listings for the Saupiquet and Auchan products mentioned say to keep them in the fridge and eat them within 48 hours of opening. Saupiquet’s listing also specifies using a suitable food container.
Does the word ‘plain’ tell you everything you need to know about the ingredients?
No. The ingredients vary between the plain products mentioned. The listing for the 120 g Auchan tin states that it contains 99% mackerel fillets and salt, while Carrefour Extra’s listing mentions mackerel, water, salt and spices, and says it may contain traces of mustard and milk.
Does going past a best-before date automatically make a tin unfit to eat?
No. A best-before date should not be confused with a use-by date. The French Ministry of the Economy explains that a use-by date is a strict limit. Check the exact wording on the tin, make sure the packaging is intact and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
Where can you check for allergens before buying an assortment?
Read the ingredients list and any statements about possible traces for each recipe. The DGCCRF says allergens must be highlighted on prepacked food labels. Don’t assume that every tin in an assortment carries the same allergen information.