If your priority is to limit added sugars, look for a powder labelled ‘no added sugars’, then check the ingredients and the ‘of which sugars’ line: this claim does not mean it contains no sugars at all. A ‘less sugar’ powder can still contain sugar. For a camping or festival breakfast, also check whether you need water or milk to prepare it, and how to keep the pack dry.
If the ingredients matter more to you than a sweet taste, compare the ingredients list and the ‘of which sugars’ line rather than relying on the wording on the front of the pack. Carrefour France describes its Carrefour Original Cocoa Powder as made from cocoa powder and labelled ‘no added sugars’, while noting that naturally occurring sugars may be present.
A powder labelled ‘less sugar’ meets a different need from cocoa with no added sugars. The Nesquik and Poulain products described by Auchan contain sugar; the listing for Poulain Grand Arôme Less Sugar 400 g states that the powder contains 52 g of sugars per 100 g.
The liquid you need may determine your choice before you even consider the pack size. Joybuy France says that an instant Suchard drink mixes with hot water. However, this doesn’t mean that other powders can be prepared in the same way, or that a recipe made with water contains no milk.
For breakfast away from home, first work out what matters most to you when it comes to sugars. Then check that the preparation method and storage requirements suit the equipment you have available.
| What matters | What to check | Who is this for? |
|---|---|---|
| Added sugars | Check the exact wording, ingredients and the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g. ‘No added sugars’ does not mean no sugars at all. | I want to make a chocolate drink without choosing a recipe with added sugar; around 42% of consumers make this their priority. |
| Sweetness | Compare the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g and the ingredients for the specific variant. ‘Less sugar’ does not mean ‘sugar-free’. | If the group wants to keep a sweet drink on the menu, I’m looking for more of a compromise than cocoa with no added sugars; this is reportedly a priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Preparing it on site | Check which liquid you need, the allergens, whether the pack can be resealed and the storage instructions. | If I only have hot water and little space to store the powder, I’ll first look for a recipe I can make on site; this is the main consideration for around 25% of consumers. |
The distinction matters if you want to avoid added sugars. Auchan’s listing for Poulain Grand Arôme Less Sugar 400 g states that the powder contains 52 g of sugars per 100 g.
Compare the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g and the ingredients, and only use the term ‘no added sugars’ for variants that actually carry this claim.
In France, the Ministry of the Economy says that displaying a Nutri-Score is voluntary. Its absence is no substitute for checking the nutrition information: the DGCCRF says that the nutrition declaration for prepacked foods is given per 100 g or 100 ml.
If a Nutri-Score is shown, consider it alongside the nutrition table, ingredients and allergens rather than treating it as the only verdict on the product.
Product listings don’t all give the same instructions: the Poulain products listed by Auchan call for hot milk, while the instant Suchard drink described by Joybuy France is made with hot water. However, a drink prepared with water may still contain milk in its recipe.
Before you set off, check the instructions and allergens for the specific variant you’ve chosen, and make sure you have access to the required liquid and somewhere dry to store it.
Carrefour France describes its 250 g Carrefour Original Cocoa Powder as a product made from cocoa powder and labelled ‘no added sugars’.
Auchan lists a 400 g Grand Arôme Less Sugar product and a separate 680 g Grand Arôme drink mix. Their features shouldn’t be confused.
Auchan lists a 650 g pack of Nesquik ‘Less Sugar’ powder.
These two drinking chocolate powders offer different options for camping: individual sachets or a pack of granules labelled ‘Less Sugar’. For both, check the label on the exact variant if you’re looking to limit sugars.
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The individual sachets may suit you if you prefer to pack separate portions. The ‘sugar free’ wording in the name isn’t enough to tell you how much sugar this variant contains: check both the ingredients and the ‘of which sugars’ line on the packaging, along with the allergens and preparation instructions.
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This 400 g pack is more suited to those who are happy with a powder that’s still sweetened than to anyone looking for no added sugars. The ‘Less Sugar’ claim doesn’t say what it’s being compared with, so check the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g, ingredients and preparation method for this variant before packing it.
No. The Ministry of the Economy says that displaying it is voluntary, while the DGCCRF points out that prepacked foods must carry a nutrition declaration. If there’s no Nutri-Score, compare the nutrition information per 100 g and read the ingredients.
No: naturally occurring sugars may still be present. Carrefour France states this for its Carrefour Original Cocoa Powder; check the ‘of which sugars’ line for the variant you’re planning to buy.
The legislation published on Légifrance covers non-alcoholic drinks and sets the contribution per hectolitre of drink. It doesn’t establish that dry powder sold as such is subject to the tax. So don’t treat this tax as a confirmed factor when comparing these powders.
The liquid used for preparation and the sugar content are two separate considerations. The instant Suchard drink described by Joybuy France mixes with hot water, but contains sugar and milk. Check the ingredients, nutrition information and instructions for the specific product.