Joybuy

Who are these options for?

Anyone stocking a vegan pantry

You’re looking for peas you can store at room temperature and want to be able to check the ingredients before using them.

Anyone keeping an eye on added salt

You’d rather season your recipes yourself than start with a product that already contains added salt.

Households looking to cut down on leftovers

You’re comparing usable quantities so you can open a pack that suits your planned meals and the storage instructions once opened.

What should you check before buying?

First, distinguish plain peas from mixed recipes, then choose a quantity that suits your meals. Compare salt and other added ingredients for the specific product, not the brand as a whole.

Priority	What to check	Who is it for?
Vegan ingredients	Read the full ingredients list and check the allergens listed, especially for a mix or seasoned recipe.	I want to check what’s in the product before adding it to a vegan dish, rather than relying on its name; around 30% of consumers would prioritise this check.
Storage and portions	Check that it can be stored at room temperature, then compare the net drained weight and the instructions for after opening.	I’m looking for something I can store outside the freezer and a quantity my household can use without ending up with lots of leftovers; around 40% of consumers would put pack size first.
Salt and other considerations	Compare salt per 100 g in the nutritional information and look for sugar or flavourings in the ingredients; check organic or origin claims if they matter to you.	I prefer to know what’s been added so I can season dishes myself and choose according to my sourcing preferences; around 30% of consumers would make this their main concern.

Common pitfalls to avoid

Confusing plain peas with peas and carrots

A mix contains other vegetables and may also include sugar, salt or flavourings, depending on the recipe. So it won’t necessarily work in the same way as an ingredient you season yourself.

Check the ingredients before choosing a ready-made side dish to go with your meal.
Choosing based on total weight alone

The liquid in the pack is included in the total weight, but not in the weight of the drained vegetables. A pack that’s too large for your planned meals will also leave you with more to store once opened.

Compare the net drained weight and read the storage instructions for the packaging you choose.
Assuming what’s in the recipe from a claim on the front

‘No preservatives’ doesn’t mean ‘no salt’, ‘no sugar’ or ‘no flavourings’: ingredients vary from one product to another.

Check the full ingredients list and nutritional information per 100 g, especially the ‘salt’ line.
Keeping a damaged tin

According to Anses, a swollen or deformed tin, or an unusual smell when opened, may indicate a risk. DGCCRF also lists rust as a possible sign of deterioration.

Do not eat the contents of a tin showing these signs.

Brands to know

These examples show how ingredients and pack sizes can vary; always check the specific product you’re thinking of buying.

Bonduelle

One tinned peas product lists a drained net weight of 560 g.

Its ingredients list includes peas, water, sugar and salt.
This recipe won’t suit anyone looking for peas with no added sugar or salt.

Jardin Bio Étic

A 400 g organic peas product offers another pack size to compare.

The ingredients listed include organic peas, water and sea salt.
Bear in mind that it contains salt if you prefer to season your food yourself.

Notre Jardin

E.Leclerc’s Marque Repère range includes plain peas and a peas and carrots mix.

One peas and carrots product with no added sugar or salt lists vegetables and water.
It’s a mix with carrots, not plain peas.

Carrefour Classic’

This range includes both plain peas and peas and carrots mixes.

One plain peas product lists a drained net weight of 280 g.
The peas and carrots product checked also lists sugar and salt, so compare the recipes separately.

Cassegrain

One peas and carrots product is for anyone looking for a mix rather than plain peas.

Its ingredients list specifies peas, carrots and pearl onions.
It also contains sugar, salt and natural flavourings.

A product to help you choose a mix

This Joybuy product is a peas and carrots mix in brine. Consider it if you’re after this kind of side dish rather than plain peas to cook with.

Bonduelle peas and carrots in brine, 530 g

Worth considering if your recipe calls for peas with carrots rather than plain peas.

The stated pack size is 530 g. Check the drained net weight, ingredients list and instructions for after opening on the product you choose.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Are tinned peas always suitable for a vegan diet?

No, you can’t tell from the product name alone. Check the ingredients for the specific product, especially if it’s a seasoned mix; allergen information on the label is not the same as vegan certification.

What does the date on a tin mean?

A best-before date indicates when the product is at its best, while a use-by date indicates when it should be eaten by. The French Ministry of the Economy distinguishes between these two dates: check which one appears on your product, along with its storage instructions.

How long can you keep peas after opening?

Follow the instructions on the packaging you’ve opened, as they vary by product. One Bonduelle tin checked says to store it at a maximum of 4 °C and eat the contents within 48 hours of opening; this timeframe doesn’t automatically apply to other products.

Can you eat the contents of a swollen or rusty tin?

Do not eat the contents of a tin showing signs of deterioration. Anses advises against using tins that are swollen or deformed, or that give off an unusual smell when opened; DGCCRF also warns about rust.

Does an ‘organic’ or ‘origin France’ claim guarantee that a product is vegan?

No, these claims relate to other characteristics of the product. To check whether the recipe suits your vegan shop, look at the ingredients list for the specific product separately.