Dark chocolate fans
If you’re looking for a recipe where dark chocolate has a clear role, check which part of the lolly any stated percentage refers to. Auchan’s product information for Magnum Intense Dark lists 70% cocoa for the coating.
Who is this choice for?
Families planning portions
The number of lollies helps you plan dessert, but the net weight lets you compare two boxes with the same number of sticks. The dark chocolate options featured here by Auchan contain three or four lollies, depending on the recipe.
Households mindful of allergens
Ingredients may include milk, soya or nuts, depending on the recipe. If anyone in your household needs to avoid an ingredient or certain traces, check the information on the box you’re buying.
Which criteria should you check first?
Decide whether your priority is the dark chocolate recipe, portion sizes or ingredients that suit your household. Then check the other criteria before choosing a box.
| Criterion | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Dark chocolate | Check which part of the lolly the cocoa percentage applies to. Don’t confuse this figure with the proportion of dark chocolate in the ingredients. | I want to know whether the figure refers to the shell or the whole recipe before comparing two lollies. Around 40% of consumers would make this their top priority. |
| Portions to share | Compare the number of lollies and the net weight; check whether an assorted box contains only the coatings you want. | When serving several people, I need to plan for enough lollies without assuming that two boxes of four contain the same quantity. Portion sizes would be a priority for around 40% of consumers. |
| Ingredients | Read the ingredients, any allergens highlighted on the label and any precautionary trace warnings on the specific packaging. | If anyone in my household needs to avoid certain ingredients, a recipe containing nuts or soya could affect my choice. Around 20% of consumers would make this their top priority. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Assuming the coating’s percentage applies to the whole lolly
Auchan’s product information for Magnum Intense Dark describes a 70% cocoa dark chocolate coating around milk chocolate ice cream. This figure therefore doesn’t describe the whole recipe.
Read the wording alongside the percentage, then check it on the packaging.
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Assuming an assorted box contains only dark chocolate
Carrefour Extra’s mini ice lolly assortment includes dark, milk and white chocolate coatings. It offers variety, but not dark chocolate lollies exclusively.
Check the flavours and coatings in each assortment before choosing a box to share.
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Comparing boxes by the number of lollies alone
Auchan lists NUII as four lollies weighing 330 g, and Ferrero Rondnoir as four weighing 200 g. The same number of lollies doesn’t necessarily mean the same net weight.
Check both figures to plan the right quantity for your household.
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Relying on the recipe name to check for allergens
Depending on the product, the recipes featured contain ingredients such as Brazil nuts, almonds, milk or soya. Some also warn that other allergens may be present in traces.
If you have an allergy or need to avoid an ingredient, read the ingredients list and trace warnings on the box you’re actually buying.
Brands and ranges to compare
These products illustrate different recipes and formats. Their inclusion here doesn’t mean they’ll all suit the same dietary preferences.
Magnum
Intense Dark comes in a box of three lollies, weighing 222 g. Auchan’s product information specifies the coating’s composition.
- The product information lists 70% cocoa for the dark chocolate layer.
- The centre is milk chocolate ice cream, so the percentage doesn’t apply to the whole lolly.
NUII
The dark chocolate and Brazil nut option featured by Auchan contains four lollies, with a net weight of 330 g.
- The recipe combines chocolate ice cream, a malted caramel sauce, dark chocolate and Brazil nuts.
- Bear in mind that it contains Brazil nuts if anyone in your household needs to avoid nuts.
Ferrero Rondnoir
According to Auchan’s product information, this box of four lollies, weighing 200 g, combines cocoa ice cream with a dark chocolate shell and cocoa pieces.
- The ingredients list states that the product contains 32.6% dark chocolate; this isn’t the cocoa percentage of the shell.
- The ingredients include milk and soya, among others. Check the packaging if these allergens are a concern for your household.
Carrefour Extra
This assorted box of mini lollies includes several coatings, making it a good option for households that like a choice of flavours.
- Carrefour’s product information describes milk, dark and white chocolate coatings.
- The box isn’t exclusively dark chocolate, and the recipe contains roasted almonds.
Ice lollies available on Joybuy
These two formats suit different tastes: dark chocolate lollies to share between four people, or six mini fruit sorbets with dark chocolate. Check the ingredients of each if you’re looking specifically for chocolate ice cream.
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POPELINO Intense Dark Chocolate Ice Lollies, x4, 312 g
This pack is a good choice if you’re looking for four dark chocolate ice lollies to share at dessert.
The box is listed as weighing 312 g. If the cocoa percentage or allergens are important to your choice, check the information on the packaging.
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PopFruit, mini mango and passion fruit sorbets with dark chocolate, x6, 282 g
These mini lollies are a good choice if you’d like to pair a fruity sorbet with dark chocolate, rather than choosing an ice cream focused on chocolate.
The box contains six lollies and weighs 282 g. Check the packaging if the proportion of chocolate or allergens matters to you.
Frequently asked questions
Does ‘dark’ tell you the cocoa percentage of the whole ice lolly?
No: check which part of the product any stated percentage refers to. According to Auchan’s product information for Magnum Intense Dark, the 70% cocoa refers to the dark coating, while the centre is milk chocolate ice cream.
How can I make sure there are enough ice lollies for a large family?
Compare both the number of lollies and the net weight of each box, then check which recipes are included. An assortment such as Carrefour Extra’s contains dark chocolate, but also milk and white chocolate coatings.
Which allergens should I check before buying?
Read the ingredients and any trace warnings on the specific packaging: depending on the product, the recipes mentioned may contain milk, soya, almonds or Brazil nuts. The DGCCRF reminds consumers that allergens in prepacked food must be highlighted in the ingredients list.
How should I bring ice lollies home after shopping?
Pick up frozen food at the end of your shop, carry it in an insulated bag and keep the journey home as short as possible. These are the steps recommended by Anses to maintain the cold chain. Put the lollies in the freezer as soon as you get home.
Is the online product information enough to check the ingredients?
No: check the box you buy, especially if an ingredient or allergen affects your choice. The label also lets you check the net quantity and the product’s storage instructions.