Carers comparing fat and sugar
A reduced-fat tin can still have a different sugars figure from another reduced-fat tin. Compare both per 100g, then decide how much custard to serve with dinner.
Who is choosing custard?
Carers checking allergens
If a child has an egg or milk allergy, read the ingredients and allergen declaration on the exact current pack. The shortlisted low-fat tins list milk, but the custard category does not establish whether a particular product contains egg.
Carers planning smaller servings
A 400g tin may leave custard after one dinner. An individual 120g pot offers a separate pack, while opened tins need the storage described on their labels.
What matters when buying?
Check allergen suitability before comparing nutrition panels and pack sizes. Custard is a sweet accompaniment to dinner, not the dinner itself; the NHS advises offering sugary foods with meals rather than as snacks.
| Concern | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Fat and sugars | Compare both figures per 100g on the current packs, then decide on the serving amount. | I want a small sweet accompaniment to dinner, but a reduced-fat label alone does not tell me its sugars content. About 38% of consumers put comparing fat and sugars first. |
| Allergens | Read the exact pack's ingredients and allergen declaration for milk and egg before serving. | When a child has a food allergy, I need to establish whether this particular custard is suitable before considering its other features. Checking allergens is the primary concern for about 37% of consumers. |
| Portions and leftovers | Check the pack size, stated servings and instructions for storage after opening. | If dinner calls for only a little custard, I want a pack size that fits our plans for the remainder. Roughly 25% of consumers put portioning and storage first. |
Checks that are easy to miss
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Reading “reduced fat” as “reduced sugar”
Sainsbury's lists 1.5g fat and 11.8g sugars per 100g for its Lighter Custard; Ambrosia lists 2.0g fat and 7.4g sugars per 100g for its Light 400g tin. Choosing on fat alone changes the sugar comparison.
Compare fat and sugars on the same per-100g basis, then choose how much to serve with the meal.
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Assuming every custard has the same allergens
The shortlisted Ambrosia, Tesco and ASDA low-fat tins list milk; a separate M&S luxury custard lists egg yolks. Neither product name nor category is a substitute for the exact pack's declaration.
For a child with a diagnosed egg or milk allergy, check the current label and follow their professional allergy advice.
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Opening a tin without a plan for the rest
A 400g tin can leave more custard than is needed for one dessert. Ambrosia and Tesco instruct shoppers to refrigerate their custard after opening and use it within three days.
Check the pack's storage directions before opening it, and consider a separate pot if the remaining custard is unlikely to be used.
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Using adult reference-intake figures as toddler targets
Reference-intake percentages on these product listings are based on an average adult. They are not a toddler-specific serving recommendation.
Use the per-100g panel for product comparisons and the pack information to assess the amount being served.
Brands to consider
Ambrosia
Its ready-to-serve Light Devon Custard comes in a 400g can, with other pack formats available.
- Ambrosia lists 2.0g fat and 7.4g sugars per 100g for the Light 400g can; it can be served hot or cold.
- It contains milk. Follow the can's instructions for refrigerating and using the contents after opening.
Tesco
Tesco Reduced Fat Custard is a 400g ready-to-serve option to compare with the other tins.
- Tesco Groceries lists 1.7g fat and 7.4g sugars per 100g.
- Check availability before planning around this product, and follow its three-day instruction for contents left after opening.
Sainsbury's
Its Ready To Eat Lighter Custard is a 500g carton rather than a tin.
- Sainsbury's lists 1.5g fat per 100g for this carton.
- The same panel lists 11.8g sugars per 100g; compare that figure separately from fat.
Asda
ASDA Light Custard is a 400g ready-to-serve tin for a fat-first comparison.
- ASDA Groceries lists 1.6g fat per 100g, the lowest fat figure among the three compared 400g tins.
- It lists 8.3g sugars per 100g and identifies milk as an allergen.
Bird's
Sainsbury's lists Bird's ready-to-make custard powder in the wider custard category.
- The powder format lets shoppers prepare a chosen quantity.
- It needs preparation, so it is not a like-for-like ready-to-serve tin.
M&S
Its Silky Smooth Custard is a standard 400g ambient product rather than a reduced-fat option in this comparison.
- Marks & Spencer lists 3.7g fat and 9.7g sugars per 100g, providing figures for a direct panel comparison.
- A separate M&S luxury custard contains egg yolks; check allergens by product, not brand.
Joybuy custard selections
These ready-to-serve Ambrosia selections offer a 400g tin and a larger 1kg carton for serving custard alongside dinner. The carton is not tinned.
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Ambrosia Low Fat Custard 400g
Consider this ready-to-serve tin if you want to compare fat and sugars while planning a small portion for dinner. Ambrosia lists 2.0g fat and 7.4g sugars per 100g for its 400g Light can. It contains milk; check the current pack for egg and milk information, and follow its instructions for refrigerating leftovers.
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Ambrosia Light Devon Custard 1kg
Consider this carton if several servings are useful, rather than choosing it as a substitute for a tin on pack size alone. Ambrosia describes the 1kg carton as containing eight servings. Plan for the remainder once opened; the listing calls for refrigeration and use within three days. Check the current pack's milk and egg information before serving a child with an allergy.
Questions about serving and storage
Is low-fat tinned custard automatically a suitable toddler dinner?
No. Custard is a sweet accompaniment, not a replacement for the rest of dinner. Compare sugars as well as fat, choose the amount to serve, and bear in mind that the NHS advises offering sugary foods with meals rather than as snacks.
Does tinned custard contain egg?
That depends on the product. The Ambrosia Light, Tesco Reduced Fat and ASDA Light product information lists milk but does not list egg as an ingredient; a separate M&S luxury custard contains egg yolks. Check the exact current pack when egg or milk allergy matters.
How should leftover tinned custard be stored?
Follow the instructions on the tin you open. Ambrosia and Tesco direct shoppers to transfer remaining contents to a suitable container, refrigerate them and use them within three days of opening.
Will a packaged custard label identify added allergens?
The Food Standards Agency states that UK food businesses must inform consumers when listed allergens have been added as ingredients or processing aids. Read the exact product's current ingredients and allergen information: custards can differ, and formulations can change.