Who this is for

Salt-label comparers

If salt is your main concern, compare the per-100g declaration on the tins you are considering rather than treating a light-style claim as a salt claim.

Mexican-night dessert hosts

If custard will follow the meal, check that the pack serves your group and that its heating and opened-pack directions fit your plans.

Shoppers considering light custard

Ambrosia says its Light custard has less fat and sugar than its standard Devon Custard. Check the salt line separately if salt is also a priority.

What to check when buying

For a ready-to-serve dessert, start with the salt declaration on the current pack; then decide whether tin format, serving plans or a separate fat-and-sugar preference changes your choice.

Concern What to check Who this matters to
Salt declaration Compare salt per 100g on the current packs. Read any reduced-salt claim separately from light or lower-fat wording. If salt is my priority, I want tins compared on the same basis before choosing a dessert; about 50% of consumers put the salt declaration first.
Serving and storage Check pack size and portions, plus the specific tin’s heating and opened-pack directions. When serving dessert after a group meal, I need a pack I can portion and handle as directed. Serving practicality comes first for about 30% of consumers.
Fat and sugar claims Check what a light claim compares and read the salt declaration independently. If I am choosing between standard and light custard, lower fat and sugar may be my main aim rather than lower salt; that is the primary concern for about 20% of consumers.

Common buying mistakes

  • Reading “light” as “reduced salt”

    Ambrosia states that its Light custard has 30% less fat and sugar than Ambrosia Devon Custard. Joybuy lists 0.12g salt per 100g for Light, compared with 0.11g per 100g for the standard can.

    Read the exact claim, then compare the salt declarations if salt is the reason for your choice.

  • Comparing different-sized portions

    A per-portion figure depends on the serving size used on that pack, so it may obscure a comparison between products.

    Compare salt per 100g first, then use the amount you plan to serve to work out the salt in your portion.

  • Heating or storing custard in the tin

    The Ambrosia can directions call for decanting custard before microwave heating. ASDA Groceries’ instructions for the standard can also say to remove leftovers from the tin before refrigerating them.

    Use a microwave-safe container when following those heating directions, and check the current pack for opened-pack storage instructions.

  • Overlooking milk on the allergen label

    The standard and Light Ambrosia custards contain milk. A vegetarian description does not answer a guest’s milk-allergen question.

    Check the allergen information on the exact pack before serving it.

Brands and formats to consider

Ambrosia

Ambrosia offers standard and Light ready-to-serve Devon Custard in 400g cans.

  • Joybuy lists 0.11g salt per 100g for the standard can, which can be served hot or cold.
  • Joybuy lists 0.12g salt per 100g for Light. Ambrosia’s comparative Light claim is about fat and sugar, not salt.

Tesco

Tesco Groceries lists Tesco Ready To Serve Custard 400G in its tinned-custard range.

  • An own-brand tin to include in a ready-to-serve comparison.
  • Check its current salt declaration and ingredients before deciding whether it meets your requirements.

Sainsbury’s

Sainsbury’s lists ready-to-eat custard in 500g and 1kg formats, as well as a Lighter Custard product.

  • The listed pack sizes give hosts different quantities to consider.
  • Check the packaging format and salt per 100g on the specific product; “Lighter” alone does not establish a salt reduction.

Asda

ASDA Groceries lists a ready-to-serve 30% Less Fat Custard in a 500g pack.

  • Its declared salt figure is 0.09g per 100g, which can be compared with other per-100g labels.
  • The stated reduction concerns fat, and this product is not established as a tin or as a reduced-salt product.

Bird’s

Bird’s Original Custard Powder is a make-it-yourself alternative, not ready-to-serve tinned custard.

  • It may be worth considering if preparing custard with milk suits your serving plans.
  • It does not meet a requirement for custard that is ready to serve from a tin.

M&S

Marks & Spencer lists a 400g Silky Smooth Custard made with whole milk.

  • Another dessert custard format to consider if you are flexible about packaging.
  • Check the current pack for its salt declaration and whether its packaging meets a tinned-custard preference.

Joybuy tinned custard selection

This ready-to-serve strawberry-flavour tin is an option for a Mexican-night dessert. Compare its current salt label with other tins rather than treating flavour or format as a reduced-salt claim.

Ambrosia Strawberry Flavour Devon Custard 400g tin

Ambrosia Strawberry Flavour Devon Custard 400g

A ready-to-serve strawberry-flavour option if you want custard after the meal. This is a 400g pack; check its current salt declaration, milk allergen information and serving directions before choosing it for guests.

View on Joybuy

Questions about salt and serving

Is Ambrosia Light tinned custard reduced in salt?

Its Light claim is not a reduced-salt claim. Ambrosia states that the 400g Light can has 30% less fat and sugar than its standard Devon Custard; Joybuy lists 0.12g salt per 100g for Light and 0.11g per 100g for the standard can.

Which salt figure should I compare between custards?

Compare the current packs’ salt declarations per 100g so different serving sizes do not determine the comparison. Then use the quantity you intend to serve to work out the salt in that portion.

Can I microwave Ambrosia custard in its tin?

No. The Ambrosia directions call for transferring the custard to a microwaveable container before heating; follow the heating steps on the current pack.

What should I do with an opened Ambrosia can?

For the standard 400g can, ASDA Groceries directs you to remove the remaining custard from the tin, refrigerate it and consume it within three days. Check the directions on the pack you are serving.

Do the standard and Light Ambrosia tins contain milk?

Yes. Both products identify milk in their ingredient or allergen information. Check the exact current pack before serving either to someone who needs to avoid milk.