Salt-conscious pudding shoppers
You want ready-to-serve custard for a winter dessert and need to compare the salt values on different pack sizes on a per-100g basis.
Who this is for
Households serving a quick pudding
You want custard that is ready to serve with crumble, cake or fruit, without preparing custard from powder. Heating directions and the amount you will open matter too.
Shoppers checking for milk
You need to read the current ingredients and allergen statement before choosing: the checked ready-to-serve custards contain milk or milk-derived ingredients.
What matters when choosing
Start with salt per 100g on the exact pack, then consider how you will serve it and whether its ingredients are suitable.
| Concern | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Declared salt | Compare salt per 100g; use the portion figure only after deciding how much you will serve. | If keeping salt lower is my priority, differing serving sizes make the pack figures hard to compare. About 42% of consumers put comparable declared salt first. |
| Serving and pack fit | Check whether the custard can be served hot and follow its heating directions; choose a pack size that fits the servings needed. | When pudding needs to reach the table quickly, I want a ready-to-serve pack that suits the portions I am making. Convenient serving comes first for about 33% of consumers. |
| Ingredients | Read the current ingredients and allergen statement, particularly for milk. | If milk is an allergy concern, I need to establish ingredient suitability before comparing flavours or formats. About 25% of consumers make that their primary check. |
Buying pitfalls
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Comparing unlike serving sizes
A half-can and a 125g portion do not provide a like-for-like salt comparison, even when both labels show a figure per serving.
Compare salt per 100g first, then use the nutrition panel to work out the amount in the portion you plan to serve.
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Reading “light” or “deluxe” as a salt claim
Ambrosia describes its Light Devon Custard as having less sugar and fat than its standard Devon Custard; that claim does not establish a lower salt value. A deluxe description does not establish one either.
Check salt separately on the nutrition panel for the exact variant.
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Overlooking milk in an ambient product
The checked ready-to-serve custards contain milk or milk-derived ingredients. Cupboard storage does not change their allergen suitability.
If milk allergy matters, read the current ingredients and allergen statement rather than substituting one of these dairy custards for another.
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Heating custard in its original pack
Ambrosia directs users of its 500g Devon Custard carton to transfer the contents to a microwaveable container before heating.
Follow the heating instructions on the pack you buy; do not assume its container can go in the microwave.
Brands to consider
Ambrosia
Ambrosia has ready-to-serve Devon Custard in cans and cartons, as well as other variants.
- Ambrosia's 500g Devon Custard carton declares 0.14g salt per 125g portion, equivalent to 0.112g per 100g.
- That figure belongs to the 500g carton, not automatically to an Ambrosia tin or flavoured variant. Its ingredients include milk-derived ingredients.
Tesco
Tesco offers own-brand ready-to-serve custard alongside branded products.
- Tesco Groceries lists its Ready To Serve Custard 400g at 0.10g salt per 100g and says it can be served hot or cold.
- Check the current pack if its milk ingredients or declared salt value affect your choice.
ASDA
ASDA Creamy Custard is a 400g ready-to-serve canned option.
- ASDA Groceries declares 0.11g salt per 100g and 0.22g per half-can for this product.
- Its allergen information identifies milk; the half-can figure also depends on serving that amount.
Sainsbury's
Sainsbury's has a 500g ready-to-eat custard for shoppers who prefer that pack size.
- Sainsbury's declares 0.15g salt per 100g for its Ready To Eat Custard 500g.
- Its ingredients include cows' milk. Compare its per-100g figure rather than its different-sized serving figure when considering other packs.
Bird's
Bird's Original Custard Powder is an option for shoppers willing to prepare custard.
- Powder is not a like-for-like ready-to-serve tin; the ingredients used to prepare it affect the finished custard.
M&S
The checked M&S custards are chilled options for shoppers considering a different format from a cupboard-stored tin.
- Marks & Spencer describes custards made with ingredients including whole milk or cream.
- These chilled products should not be treated as verified tinned, reduced-salt alternatives.
Joybuy custard selections
These Ambrosia 400g custards offer standard, strawberry-flavour and Low Fat variants to consider with winter puddings. Compare the salt and serving directions on each current pack rather than transferring figures between variants.
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Ambrosia Strawberry Flavour Devon Custard 400g
Consider this variant if you want strawberry flavour with a pudding. For a salt-first choice, compare its current per-100g label with other custards and check its serving directions.
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Ambrosia Devon Custard 400g
This ready-to-serve 400g custard is an option alongside a warm pudding. Check its own salt value per 100g: the figure for Ambrosia's 500g carton should not be applied to this pack.
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Ambrosia Low Fat Custard 400g
If you are considering this 400g variant for dessert, assess its salt value independently of the Low Fat name. Check the current ingredients and heating directions on the pack as well.
Common questions
What does “low” salt mean on a custard label?
NHS inform describes 0.3g salt or less per 100g as low. To compare custards, read the salt value per 100g on each exact pack, then consider the amount you intend to serve.
Does Low Fat custard necessarily contain less salt?
No: a fat-related name does not tell you the salt value. Ambrosia's claim for its Light Devon Custard concerns sugar and fat compared with its standard Devon Custard, so check salt separately on the variant you are buying.
Can I microwave custard in its original pack?
Do not assume the pack is microwave-safe. For its 500g Devon Custard carton, Ambrosia instructs users to empty the contents into a microwaveable container before heating; follow the instructions for your specific pack.
Are the compared ready-to-serve custards suitable for a milk allergy?
No: the checked Tesco, ASDA, Ambrosia and Sainsbury's products contain milk or milk-derived ingredients. Read the current ingredients and allergen statement for the exact custard before purchase.