Whole Earth Organic Baked Beans 400 g (Pack of 12)

Product Information

Beans are vegan-friendly and a good source of protein and fibre, with negligible fat content. Protein and fibre levels are similar across the brands, though Lidl's tin states there's more than 7g of fibre per 100g in their beans, which is considerably higher than the others. They are 'low sugar' according to NHS guidelines , but it comes down to how much you eat, and what you have them with. A full can of the most sugary beans on test (Lidl's) adds up to 19g – about four teaspoons of sugar. But the levels of salt and sugar in baked beans can be very high, which somewhat negates their healthy potential. Tin is one of the four conflict minerals. Tin is considered a conflict mineral due to its association with armed conflicts and human rights abuses in certain regions of the world. As many depend on the tin industry for their livelihood, it would be careless to simply stop using tin or stop sourcing it from conflict areas. Campaigners are pushing for regulation and better standards. The baked beans were assessed in February 2023 by a large panel of consumers who regularly buy and consume baked beans.

Agave syrup comes from the sap of a cactus that is native to Mexico and is most commonly used to make tequila. It contains less glucose than sugar, so has a lower glycaemic index, but it contains more fructose which is considered to be one of the most damaging forms of sugar. It is much sweeter than sugar so less per 100 g can be used, but it is higher in calories. The advice is to use in moderation and buy organic, raw agave rather than highly processed versions which have less nutritional value. Tin’ cans only contain about 1-2% tin. They are mostly made from steel but are covered with a thin coat of tin to prevent oxidation, creating a material called tinplate. Whilst each can uses very little tin, tinplate overall makes up about 12% of the world’s tin use. A quarter of the brands contained 25% or more of the recommended maximum daily intake for a 4–6-year-old. There are four reduced-sugar brands in this guide – Heinz, Branston, Suma and Mr Organic – and all four also have lower levels of salt. These delicious baked beans are slightly smokey and perfect to use wherever you want to add to a hearty meal. I like to serve mine as a Baked Potato topping. I also love to eat them as part of a vegan breakfast with some Tofu Scramble and maybe a bit of vegan bacon. 🤫The Secret to Beans with no sugar!

It basically comes down to a choice between the US company Kraft Heinz and the Japanese duo that own Branston – Mitsubishi Corp and Mizkan Group.

Live well for less – sign up to our free food and health newsletter for monthly insights and advice, plus the latest taste tests They have similar levels of salt and sugar, but Branston is cheaper and consumer group Which? ranked Branston above Heinz in terms of taste.

High salt consumption is linked to a range of health problems including strokes and heart disease, whilst high sugar is linked to obesity, diabetes and tooth decay. So, whilst Heinz trumpets the fact that its Beanz are “1 of your 5 a day and naturally high in protein and fibre”, it neglects to mention that along with all that you are getting a hefty dose of salt. Do organic brands of baked beans have less salt? The jury’s out on whether sugar alternatives are better or worse for you than sugar itself. It’s swings and roundabouts. Biona: “The lining of the cans is made of an aluminised polyester and gold organosol lacquer.” Cans are labelled “No BPA used.” The University of California found that BPS (Bisphenol S), a substitute for BPA, disrupts the reproductive system. Another 2017 study found that six Bisphenol compounds used as BPA substitutes were more potent in their endocrine-disrupting properties than BPA. Other problem linings are PVC, a known human carcinogen, and polystyrene-acrylic resins, a possible carcinogen.