French consumer experts say you should stop buying these 4 jam brands.

Supermarket jam jars look harmless on the breakfast table, yet new testing suggests some hide a lot more than fruit and sugar.

For many French households, jam still means a slice of bread, a quick spoonful straight from the jar, or a dependable school snack. A new investigation by 60 Millions de consommateurs-a leading French consumer magazine-has disrupted that familiar routine by flagging four name-brand jams for concerning pesticide residues and controversial ingredients.

Why a consumer magazine decided to test your jam

The French organization 60 Millions de consommateurs regularly tests everyday products, from laundry detergent to baby food. This time, it focused on sweet spreads: strawberry and apricot jams, a staple in many French pantries and a fast-growing category boosted by “healthy” and “no added sugar” marketing.

The original goal was simple: compare the fruit-to-sugar ratio in 40 popular jam brands sold in French supermarkets. The team wanted to see which jars truly deliver fruit-and which rely more on added sugar or sweeteners.

But during the analysis, lab results revealed another issue. Beyond sugar levels, several samples contained multiple pesticide traces, including substances that are no longer approved in the European Union.

Jam samples tested by 60 Millions de consommateurs contained nearly 600 different pesticide residues across the products screened.

That does not mean 600 residues in a single jar. It means that across all tested products, the lab detected a wide range of different chemicals. Some appeared repeatedly in specific brands, raising questions about farming practices and supply chains.

The four jam brands singled out by 60 Millions

According to the report, four brands stood out for the wrong reasons-especially among apricot jams:

• Auchan La Gourmande
  
• Confipote 65% fruits
  
• Gerblé “sans sucres ajoutés” (no added sugar)
  
• Intermarché Paquito Extra
  

Among these, Intermarché’s Paquito Extra apricot jam received the lowest overall score in the rankings: 7.5 out of 20. The rating took into account several factors, including sugar content, additives, and pesticide residues.

What concerned testers wasn’t just the presence of pesticides, but the nature of some substances. The investigation cites residues tied to molecules no longer permitted in the EU, suggesting possible use of older stock, cross-contamination, or problems somewhere in the agricultural supply chain outside Europe.

When a supposedly “fruit-rich” jam carries multiple traces of fungicides and insecticides, the healthy image on the front label starts to look fragile.

Even “natural” and “no added sugar” options are not always clean

Many shoppers reach for “no added sugar” or “high fruit” jams believing they’re choosing a better option. 60 Millions de consommateurs included these products precisely because they look healthier and more natural on the shelf.

Gerblé’s no-added-sugar jam, marketed as a diet-friendly choice, was still flagged. Even though the brand reduces traditional sugar, pesticide residues show that less sugar does not automatically mean fewer chemical contaminants.

The magazine also pointed to Dordogne Reflets de France, a Carrefour private-label product that emphasizes its origin and traditional-style recipes. The strawberries are grown under controlled conditions, which may suggest extra care. Yet lab tests still detected five different pesticides, including fungicides and insecticides.

Brand	Type of jam tested	Issues highlighted
Auchan La Gourmande	Apricot	Pesticide residues, including questionable molecules
Confipote 65% fruits	Apricot	Multiple residues despite high fruit content
Gerblé (no added sugar)	Fruit spread	No added sugar but measurable pesticide traces
Intermarché Paquito Extra	Apricot	Lowest overall score: 7.5/20

Below legal limits, but still a concern

The investigation notes that the amounts detected mostly fall below EU maximum residue limits. Legally, these jams can stay on store shelves. Regulators consider those thresholds safe as long as exposure remains limited and occasional.

Consumer advocates take a broader view. People don’t consume pesticides one chemical at a time-they consume combinations of low-level traces daily, from multiple foods. That “cocktail effect” still lacks clear long-term data, especially for vulnerable groups such as pregnant women and young children.

The magazine warns that repeated exposure to low doses of certain pesticides may contribute to allergies, fertility problems, and developmental risks for the fetus.

These concerns reflect a growing body of research on endocrine disruptors and neurotoxic substances used in intensive farming. Even if each residue stays under its official limit, long-term accumulation can still worry physicians and toxicologists.

How to choose safer jam at the grocery store

The takeaway isn’t to panic-it’s to shop more strategically. A few simple steps can reduce exposure:

• Choose organic jam when your budget allows, especially strawberry and apricot varieties, which tend to carry more residues.
• Read ingredient lists: shorter lists with fruit, sugar, and pectin usually mean fewer additives.
• Rotate brands and flavors instead of eating the same jar every morning, which may reduce repeated exposure to the same chemicals.
• Be cautious with “no added sugar” claims: many use concentrates or sweeteners and still rely on conventionally grown fruit.
• Consider smaller local producers when possible, and ask how the fruit is grown.

For households with children, some nutritionists suggest keeping jam to a few breakfasts per week instead of making it an everyday habit. That approach reduces sugar intake and may also lower cumulative pesticide exposure over time.

Why fruit-based products often carry more residues

Jams reflect the realities of fruit farming. Apricots and strawberries are vulnerable to fungus, insects, and weather-related damage. Growers often use multiple treatments during the season, which can leave traces on harvested fruit.

Processing doesn’t always remove those chemicals. Many pesticides tolerate heat and can survive cooking. And when manufacturers concentrate fruit to create a spreadable texture, residues can become more concentrated as well. That helps explain why products that seem simple and traditional may still test positive for multiple contaminants.

The French findings are also a reminder for U.K. and U.S. shoppers: fruit-spread supply chains are global. Apricot jam in the U.K. may use fruit from Mediterranean orchards, and a U.S. strawberry spread may source berries from multiple continents throughout the year.

Practical alternatives: from homemade jars to lower-sugar habits

For people who eat jam every day, a few habit changes can make a meaningful difference. Making homemade jam once or twice a year remains one of the most effective ways to control ingredients. Using seasonal organic fruit, modest sugar, and properly sanitized jars can reduce both additives and potential residues.

If you don’t want to cook, you can still adjust your breakfast routine. Some dietitians recommend alternating jam with:

• Fresh fruit slices on toast
  
• Nut butters with no added sugar
  
• Plain yogurt topped with a small spoonful of jam (instead of spreading it on bread)
  
• Unsweetened applesauce or fruit compote
  

These swaps reduce refined sugar and add fiber, which slows sugar absorption and supports gut health.

What this says about food labeling and trust

The 60 Millions de consommateurs report adds to a broader debate about transparency in food labeling. Many products tested lean heavily on terms like “extra,” “traditional recipe,” “no added sugar,” or regional-style packaging that suggests heritage and care.

Yet the underlying farming systems are often industrial, with routine pesticide use and long supply chains-details consumers rarely see on the label. Independent testing by consumer groups, universities, and nonprofits helps counter glossy marketing with real-world data.

For readers in the U.K., U.S., and elsewhere, the French jam case works as a small test you can apply to other everyday foods. If pesticide “cocktails” appear in something as ordinary as apricot jam, similar patterns may show up in fruit yogurt, breakfast cereal, or baby snacks. Occasional independent checks help keep pressure on brands and retailers to tighten standards, demand cleaner raw ingredients, and support farmers who reduce pesticide use.