Parents of children aged 1 to 3
You’re considering a coconut drink for an occasional snack, without mistaking it for your child’s usual milk. Manger Bouger says that children at this age still need to drink milk.
Who is this choice for?
Parents keeping an eye on added sugars
You’d like to compare recipes: Carrefour Bio offers a coconut drink with no added sugars, while a Bjorg coconut drink listed by Carrefour contains cane sugar.
Parents preparing a snack to take out
You’re looking for a size that’s easy to carry. Carrefour, Auchan and E.Leclerc list several 1 L cartons and an individual 330 mL Alnatura carton. Check the exact packaging before you buy.
What should you check before buying?
For a toddler’s snack, first be clear about your child’s age and the role the product will play in their diet. Then compare the number of units, the volume of each one and the label of the product you’re considering.
| Criterion | What to check | Consumers concerned |
|---|---|---|
| Age and role of the product | Your child’s exact age and how you plan to use the product: as an occasional snack or instead of their usual milk. Before the age of one, Anses advises against using everyday drinks as substitutes for breast milk or infant formula. | If the product could replace my child’s usual milk, I want to know whether it’s suitable for their age. Around 36% of consumers would make this role in their diet their main concern. |
| Size for taking out | Number of units, volume per unit and closure: a 1 L carton is not a multipack of individual portions. | When preparing a snack to eat away from home, I’m looking for a portion I can actually take with me. Format would be the top consideration for around 29% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and sugars | Product description, ingredients list, nutritional information and any ‘no added sugars’ claim. Check the allergens for the specific product. | When comparing two coconut drinks, I want to tell their recipes apart rather than relying on the word ‘coconut’ alone. Around 21% of consumers would prioritise ingredients. |
| Storage after opening | Instructions on the packaging and how many portions you’ll use after opening. | If there’s some left in the carton after snack time, I want to be able to follow the storage instructions and avoid throwing the rest away. Around 14% of consumers would put this question first. |
Common mix-ups to avoid
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Mistaking a coconut drink for infant formula
Anses says that before the age of one, everyday drinks of plant or animal origin are not suitable as replacements for breast milk or infant formula. After the age of one, Manger Bouger says children still need to drink milk.
Check your child’s age and how you plan to use the product before comparing brands. If you’re thinking of changing the milk in their diet, seek advice tailored to their needs.
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Mistaking a large carton for a multipack
A 1 L carton doesn’t provide individual pots ready to pop into a lunch box. Carrefour also lists an Alnatura drink in a 330 mL carton, but that alone doesn’t tell you whether it’s available in a multipack.
Check the number of units, the volume of each one and the type of closure shown on the packaging.
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Relying only on the ‘no added sugars’ claim
This claim doesn’t tell you everything about the recipe, and it isn’t enough to establish whether a drink is suitable for a toddler. For example, Carrefour says its organic coconut drink with no added sugars contains naturally occurring sugars.
Read the product description, ingredients list, allergens and nutritional information for the product you choose.
Brands and ranges to compare
Alpro
Plant-based coconut drinks, including a 1 L carton, with a coconut and rice recipe and a no-sugars coconut recipe listed by Auchan and Carrefour respectively.
- The two product descriptions make it easier to tell the recipes apart when reading the label.
- These 1 L cartons are neither infant formula nor individual portions ready to take out.
Carrefour Bio
Organic plant-based coconut drink with no added sugars, listed by Carrefour in a 1 L carton.
- The product information distinguishes between no added sugars and naturally occurring sugars.
- The 1 L size isn’t an individual portion for a lunch box.
VEGE (Marque Repère / E.Leclerc)
Flavoured coconut and rice drink, listed by E.Leclerc in a 1 L UHT carton.
- The product description makes clear that the recipe combines coconut and rice.
- You’ll need to portion out the 1 L carton for a snack to take out.
Joybuy products
Related products coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
Can a coconut drink replace milk for a baby under one?
No. Anses says everyday drinks, whether plant-based or animal-based, are not suitable substitutes for breast milk or infant formula before the age of one.
After the age of one, can a coconut drink become a child’s usual milk?
No. A coconut drink shouldn’t be considered equivalent to the milk a child still needs. Manger Bouger highlights this need after the age of one. Be clear about how you plan to use the drink before choosing one for snack time.
Is ‘no added sugars’ enough to choose a coconut drink?
No. This claim can help you distinguish between some recipes, but on its own it doesn’t tell you whether they’re suitable for your child’s age. Also check the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information for the specific product.
How long can you keep an opened coconut drink?
Follow the instructions for the product you buy. For the 1 L Alpro coconut and rice drink listed by Auchan, the instructions say to keep it between +1 °C and +7 °C and drink it within five days of opening. Don’t apply this timeframe to another drink.