Christmas-dinner shoppers comparing salt
If baked beans are part of your meal, comparing salt per 100g helps you choose between recipes; checking the amount served shows what the portion contributes.
Who is this for?
Shoppers considering supermarket own-label tins
Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Waitrose list own-label beans with stated salt reductions against their respective standard recipes. Compare their nutrition panels rather than assuming the claims mean the same salt content.
Shoppers balancing salt and added sugar
Heinz No Added Sugar Beanz have a stated salt reduction, but “no added sugar” does not identify the tin with the lowest declared salt per 100g in this comparison.
What should you compare?
Compare recipes using the per-100g nutrition figures, then check the portion and ingredients that matter for your meal.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Salt per 100g | Use the same per-100g measure across tins. Tesco Groceries and Sainsbury’s each list 0.29g; Waitrose & Partners lists 0.30g for its Essential reduced-salt-and-sugar beans. | I want to compare the salt in different recipes without letting tin size distort the comparison. |
| Reduction claim | Check which standard recipe the claim refers to, then read the absolute salt figure. Tesco states 25% less salt than its standard beans; Sainsbury’s and Waitrose & Partners each state 30% less than their respective standard beans. | A reduced-salt claim matters to me, but I also want to know how much salt the tin actually declares. |
| Serving size | Check the stated salt per serving and how much you intend to serve. Tesco Groceries lists 0.8g salt for the 200g Heinz No Added Sugar tin, alongside 0.40g per 100g. | If I am serving beans at a shared meal, I need a portion figure that matches the amount going on each plate. |
| Ingredients | Read the current ingredients and allergen information as well as the nutrition panel. The Sainsbury’s reduced-sugar-and-salt recipe lists steviol glycosides; Sainsbury’s listing for a 410g Branston Reduced Sugar & Salt tin lists saccharin. | Someone at the table may avoid a particular sweetener or need to check an allergen statement. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Assuming every reduced-salt claim means the same salt content
The claim compares a product with its maker’s standard recipe. Tesco Groceries, Sainsbury’s, Waitrose & Partners and the cited Heinz and Branston listings declare different salt amounts per 100g.
Use the reduction claim for context, then compare the per-100g figures on the tins you are considering.
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Comparing salt per tin without checking tin size
A per-tin figure includes the effect of how much food is in the tin. Tesco Groceries lists 0.8g salt for the 200g Heinz No Added Sugar tin and 0.40g per 100g.
Compare recipes per 100g first, then use the serving information to plan the amount you will put on each plate.
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Overlooking sweeteners and allergens
Reduced-sugar recipes can differ in their ingredients: the Sainsbury’s reduced-sugar-and-salt beans list steviol glycosides, while Sainsbury’s listing for a 410g Branston tin lists saccharin.
Check the ingredients and allergen statement on the exact pack you will serve.
Brand and retailer references
These examples describe specific listed recipes, not every baked-bean product from each brand or retailer.
Tesco
Tesco lists a 420g own-label Reduced Sugar and Salt Baked Beans tin.
- Tesco Groceries declares 0.29g salt and 3.0g sugars per 100g, with 25% less salt than its standard baked beans.
- The percentage reduction is against Tesco’s own standard recipe; compare the per-100g figure with other tins.
Sainsbury’s
Sainsbury’s lists a 400g own-label Reduced Sugar & Salt Baked Beans tin.
- Sainsbury’s declares 0.29g salt and 2.8g sugars per 100g, with 30% less salt than its standard baked beans.
- The recipe lists steviol glycosides; check the ingredients if sweeteners affect your choice.
Waitrose Essential
Waitrose & Partners lists a 420g Essential Reduced Salt & Sugar Baked Beans tin.
- Waitrose & Partners declares 0.30g salt per 100g and states 30% less salt than regular Essential baked beans.
- Its listed half-can serving contains 0.63g salt, so check whether that serving matches your plans.
Heinz
Heinz No Added Sugar Beanz are a branded option with a stated salt reduction.
- Tesco Groceries lists the 200g tin at 0.40g salt per 100g and states 25% less salt than standard Heinz Beanz.
- “No added sugar” does not mean the lowest salt figure: the cited Tesco and Sainsbury’s reduced-salt tins each list 0.29g per 100g.
Branston
A Sainsbury’s listing describes a 410g Branston Reduced Sugar & Salt Baked Beans tin.
- That listing declares 0.50g salt per 100g and 1.0g per 205g serving.
- It lists saccharin. Check the current pack’s nutrition and ingredients rather than applying those figures to a different Branston pack.
Joybuy product options
This Branston multipack is an option for a Christmas-dinner shop where reduced-sugar-and-salt baked beans are on the list. Check its current pack label before comparing its salt or ingredients with the individual supermarket tins above.
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Branston Reduced Sugar & Salt Baked Beans, 4 × 410g
The four-tin pack may suit a meal requiring several tins. Before using it for a salt comparison or checking sweetener preferences, read the nutrition and ingredients on the current pack: its listed formulation differs from the separate 410g Branston listing described above.
Common questions
How can I compare reduced-salt baked beans in different tin sizes?
Compare the declared salt per 100g to assess the recipes on the same quantity basis. Then check the salt for the amount you intend to serve, since a per-tin or per-serving figure depends on portion size.
Does “no added sugar” mean baked beans have the lowest salt?
No. Tesco Groceries lists Heinz No Added Sugar Beanz at 0.40g salt per 100g, despite its stated 25% salt reduction against standard Heinz Beanz. Tesco and Sainsbury’s each list 0.29g per 100g for their reduced-sugar-and-salt tins.
Is a front-of-pack traffic-light label enough to choose a tin?
It is a quick comparison aid, but read the nutrition table for the salt per 100g and per serving. Check the current tin’s ingredients and allergen statement too, particularly when choosing for other people.
Does a reduced-salt claim tell me whether beans suit someone with an allergy?
No. A salt claim does not replace the exact pack’s allergen statement. For example, Marks & Spencer’s No Added Sugar Baked Beans listing says the product is not suitable for people with a milk or egg allergy; it does not state a reduced-salt claim.