People who check the salt content first
You want to tell a tin labelled ‘no added salt’ apart from a recipe that may contain salt. The ingredients list and salt content per 100 g let you check the product you’re considering.
Who are these criteria for?
Small households looking to avoid leftovers
If you’re cooking a small amount, you may prefer a 240 g tin to a larger one, provided its contents suit your recipe.
People making sauces and slow-cooked dishes
You’re planning a recipe that uses a 400 g tin of whole peeled tomatoes, and can adjust the amount used to suit the number of portions.
What should you check on the tin?
When comparing individual tins, Assurance Maladie recommends checking the nutritional information per 100 g. Then check how much your recipe needs and read the ingredients list for the specific product.
| Criterion | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Added salt | The ‘no added salt’ claim, the ingredients list and the salt content per 100 g on the tin you’ve chosen. | If I’m mainly looking for a recipe with no added salt, I need to distinguish this claim from the salt content shown on its own. Around 36% of consumers would make this their top priority. |
| Amount and leftovers | The stated weight and the amount of tomatoes needed for the recipe; storage instructions after opening if you won’t use the whole tin. | For a small dish, I prefer an amount that doesn’t leave me with most of the tin to store. This would be the main concern for around 29% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and carbohydrates | The product description and ingredients, followed by the carbohydrates and sugars per 100 g and in the amount you’ll actually use. | When I’m preparing a meal, I want to know what’s in the tin and how many tomatoes I’m adding. Around 21% of consumers would put checking the ingredients first. |
| Texture and quantity | Look for ‘whole peeled tomatoes’ rather than chopped tomatoes, passata or sauce, and choose a tin size that suits the recipe. | If my sauce or slow-cooked dish needs whole tomatoes, their form and quantity are the deciding factors. This would be the priority for around 14% of consumers. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Confusing peeled tomatoes with prepared sauce
These descriptions don’t necessarily mean the same thing: added ingredients can vary.
Read the product description and ingredients list, then compare carbohydrates, sugars and salt per 100 g.
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Relying on the Nutri-Score alone
This guide doesn’t replace checking the ingredients or the nutritional values that help you compare two products.
Check the carbohydrates, sugars and salt per 100 g on each tin you’re considering.
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Assuming an Auchan recipe always stays the same
Auchan says the ingredients in its whole peeled tomatoes in juice can vary depending on the click-and-collect store and purchase date; one variant contains salt.
Check the product information for your store and the label on the tin you receive, especially if you’re looking for a product with no added salt.
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Choosing a large tin without planning for leftovers
A small recipe may only use part of a 400 g or 480 g tin.
Choose a size that suits the amount you’re cooking, and follow the storage instructions on the tin after opening.
Brands and products to know
Mutti
Mutti sells its Pelati peeled tomatoes in 400 g and 800 g tins, as well as in packs of two 400 g tins.
- According to the Mutti product information, this product contains whole peeled tomatoes and tomato juice; it provides 3.6 g of carbohydrates and 0.01 g of salt per 100 g.
- These values apply to this product: check the details of the exact product if you choose another Mutti tin.
Cirio
Cirio sells whole peeled tomatoes in 400 g and 800 g tins, promoted for sauces and long cooking.
- The listed ingredients include peeled tomatoes, tomato purée and citric acid.
- To compare carbohydrates, sugars and salt, read the nutritional information on the tin you choose.
Jardin BiO étic
The Jardin BiO étic whole peeled tomatoes sold by Auchan come in a 240 g tin labelled ‘no added salt’.
- Auchan’s product information gives the following values per 100 g: 0.02 g of salt, 5.2 g of carbohydrates and 3.8 g of sugars.
- ‘No added salt’ doesn’t mean ‘no carbohydrates’: take the amount you use in your meal into account.
Notre Jardin
E.Leclerc sells Notre Jardin whole peeled tomatoes in juice in a smaller tin.
- E.Leclerc’s product information lists peeled tomatoes, tomato juice and citric acid, with 3 g of carbohydrates, 3 g of sugars and 0.1 g of salt per 100 g.
- This product isn’t labelled ‘no added salt’, so don’t assume it’s the same as a tin that carries this claim explicitly.
Auchan
Auchan sells whole peeled tomatoes in juice in a 480 g tin.
- This size may suit a recipe that uses more tomatoes.
- Auchan says the ingredients may vary depending on the click-and-collect store and purchase date, including a variant containing salt. Check the label on the tin you choose.
Product available on Joybuy
If your recipe calls for 400 g of tomatoes, this tin of cherry tomatoes is worth considering. Before choosing it as a tin of peeled tomatoes, check the product description and ingredients list on the label.
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LA MOLISANA Pomodorini, 100% Italian cherry tomatoes, 400 g
Consider this 400 g tin if your recipe uses this amount of tomatoes; for a small dish, plan how you’ll use the leftovers.
Check the tin to make sure these are whole peeled tomatoes, then read the ingredients and nutritional values per 100 g. Follow the storage instructions on the packaging after opening.
Frequently asked questions
Are tinned peeled tomatoes off-limits if you have diabetes?
No. Assurance Maladie doesn’t generally prohibit any particular food as part of a diet for diabetes. When choosing a tin, read the ingredients, carbohydrates, sugars and salt, then consider how much you’ll use in your meal.
Is the Nutri-Score enough to compare two tins?
No. For peeled tomatoes, use it alongside the ingredients list and the carbohydrate, sugar and salt values per 100 g for the products you’re comparing.
How should you store peeled tomatoes after opening?
Follow the instructions on the tin you bought. The Auchan product information for Jardin BiO étic recommends refrigerating its product after opening and using it within two days; this guidance doesn’t necessarily apply to every brand.
Does an Auchan tin of peeled tomatoes always contain the same ingredients?
Not necessarily. Auchan says the ingredients in its product may vary depending on the click-and-collect store and purchase date, with one variant containing salt. Check the product information for your order and the label on the tin you receive.