Fans of rich cocoa flavours
You want to know whether the lolly has a dark chocolate shell or is made with dark chocolate ice cream. Product listings from Auchan and E.Leclerc give examples of both recipes.
Who are these ice lollies for?
Shoppers who check ingredients
You want to read the ingredients and allergen information, then compare the nutritional information on a like-for-like basis before choosing your ice lolly.
People taking a lunch break away from home
You’re looking for an individual serving, but you also need to be able to keep the lolly cold between buying it and eating it.
What should you look for?
Start by checking what “dark” means in the recipe. Then look at the label and think about your journey: even if the ingredients suit you, you’ll still need to keep the lolly cold.
| What to check | Look for | Who is this for? |
|---|---|---|
| Where the dark chocolate is | Check whether the dark chocolate is in the coating, the ice cream or both. If a cocoa percentage is given, check which part of the lolly it applies to. | I want to know what “dark” means before choosing between a dark chocolate shell and a lolly that also has dark chocolate ice cream. This would be the top priority for around 42% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and nutrition | Read the ingredients and allergen information. To compare two products, use the nutritional values per 100 g, then check the size of each lolly. | If certain ingredients matter to me, I want to check for them before buying and compare products with different serving sizes. Around 33% of consumers would make this their top priority. |
| Size and keeping it cold | Check the size of the lollies, the storage instructions and whether you can keep them cold during your journey. | I can only plan this break if the lolly stays cold until I’m ready to eat it. Around 25% of consumers would prioritise keeping it cold during transport. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Assuming “dark” describes the whole lolly
Auchan’s listing for Magnum Intense Dark describes milk chocolate ice cream under a dark chocolate coating with 70% cocoa. E.Leclerc’s TRIUM listing, on the other hand, describes dark chocolate ice cream with a dark chocolate coating.
Read the product name and ingredients: a percentage given for the coating doesn’t automatically tell you what’s inside the lolly.
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Relying on the front of the pack for allergen information
Recipes with pieces or nuts may contain other ingredients and carry “may contain” warnings. Auchan’s listing for NUII Dark Chocolate and Brazil Nut, for example, states that it contains Brazil nuts.
Check the ingredients list and any warnings about traces on the exact product you’re buying.
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Comparing only the figures per lolly
Lollies of different sizes aren’t directly comparable as portions. The DGCCRF says that nutritional information per 100 g or 100 ml makes it easier to compare products.
Compare the sugars, fat and energy on the same basis, then check what that means for the portion you’ll actually eat.
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Planning a long journey without a way to keep it cold
An ice lolly must be transported in a way that follows the storage instructions on its packaging. The DGCCRF recommends using a cool bag to transport food when travelling.
Buy frozen products last and plan to use suitable cooling equipment if you won’t be eating them soon.
Brands and products to know
Magnum
Intense Dark is worth considering if you’re specifically looking for a dark chocolate shell with a stated cocoa content.
- Auchan’s listing states that the dark coating contains 70% cocoa and describes milk chocolate ice cream inside.
- This percentage doesn’t apply to the whole lolly. The product contains milk and soya and may contain almonds.
TRIUM
Worth a look if you want dark chocolate in both the ice cream and the coating.
- E.Leclerc’s listing describes the lolly as 72.8% dark chocolate ice cream and 27.2% dark chocolate coating.
- These figures describe the proportions of each part of the lolly, not their cocoa content. The listing shows a Nutri-Score E, which you can consider alongside the nutritional information.
Ferrero Rondnoir
A lolly to consider if you’re looking for dark chocolate with cocoa nibs.
- Auchan’s listing states that dark chocolate makes up 32.6% of the ingredients; this isn’t the cocoa percentage of the chocolate.
- The product contains milk and soya and may also contain wheat, egg and several types of nuts.
NUII
The Dark Chocolate and Brazil Nut variety combines chocolate, pieces of nuts and caramel sauce.
- Auchan’s listing describes a dark chocolate coating with pieces of Brazil nut.
- It contains Brazil nuts and may contain peanuts, other nuts, eggs and cereals containing gluten.
Carrefour Sensation
A “Milk and Dark Chocolate” variety to consider if you’re comparing boxes of several lollies.
- Carrefour sells this product in a box of four lollies.
- Before choosing it for the dark chocolate, check the packaging for the ingredients in each part of the lolly and for allergen information.
Ice lollies available on Joybuy
These two products suit different tastes: a dark chocolate ice lolly, or a mini mango and passion fruit sorbet lolly with dark chocolate. If you’re mainly after a chocolate ice cream, don’t mistake the latter for a fruit sorbet base.
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POPELINO Intense Dark, dark chocolate ice lollies, x4, 312 g
Worth considering if you’d prefer a chocolate ice lolly rather than a fruit sorbet coated in chocolate.
Box of four lollies, 312 g. If a specific cocoa percentage matters to you, check which part of the product it applies to on the packaging.
This product contains milk and soya. Store at -18 °C and do not refreeze after thawing.
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PopFruit Mini Sorbet Sticks, mango and passion fruit with dark chocolate, x6, 282 g
Worth considering if you’d prefer mango and passion fruit sorbet with dark chocolate rather than chocolate ice cream.
Box of six mini lollies, 282 g. Check the label if the cocoa content of the chocolate is important to your choice.
This product contains soya and indicates that it may contain traces of other allergens. Store at -18 °C and do not refreeze after thawing.
Frequently asked questions
Does “dark” mean the whole lolly is made with dark chocolate?
No. The term may describe the coating without saying anything about the ice cream inside. Auchan’s listing for Magnum Intense Dark describes milk chocolate ice cream under a dark shell with 70% cocoa, while E.Leclerc’s listing for TRIUM describes dark chocolate ice cream and a dark chocolate coating. Check the product name and ingredients for the variety you choose.
How can I compare the sugar in two lollies of different sizes?
Compare the sugar per 100 g or 100 ml on the same basis, then check the size of each lolly. The DGCCRF explains that this way of presenting nutritional information makes products easier to compare. Figures per portion can then help you work out how much you’ll be eating.
Can I take an ice lolly with me to eat later?
Yes, as long as you can follow its storage instructions until you’re ready to eat it. Check the packaging before you set off and plan a suitable way to keep it cold during your journey. The DGCCRF recommends using a cool bag to transport food when travelling.
Where can I check the allergens in a packaged ice lolly?
Check the ingredients list on the packaging and look for any “may contain” warnings on the product you’re buying. The DGCCRF says allergenic ingredients must be highlighted on the labels of pre-packed foods. The front of the pack isn’t a substitute for checking this information.