For a child’s snack, choose a dark chocolate ice lolly based on the flavour you’re looking for, the portion size and the ingredients in the specific product. An ice lolly with a stated cocoa percentage is a good choice if you’re after a particular intensity, while a mini size may suit you if portion size is your priority. If you’re sharing snacks, check the allergens and dietary requirements of the children first.
If your child likes a strong cocoa flavour, distinguish between a dark chocolate ice cream and an ice lolly that’s simply coated in dark chocolate. If a cocoa percentage is given, check that it refers to the chocolate coating rather than the whole ice lolly.
Before choosing a box for several children, check the ingredients, allergens and any ‘may contain’ warnings for the exact flavour. A dark chocolate recipe may contain milk, soya or nuts.
A mini ice lolly or a box of several individual lollies lets you choose how much to serve. Compare the weight or volume of each one, then check the nutritional information on a like-for-like basis and, where shown on the packaging, per portion.
For a shared snack, start by checking that the ingredients are suitable for each child. Then choose the chocolate flavour and format, and compare the nutritional information for the recipes you’re considering.
| Criteria | What to check | Consumers concerned |
|---|---|---|
| Dark chocolate intensity | Check whether the dark chocolate is in the ice cream, the coating or both. See which part any stated cocoa percentage refers to. | If my child already likes dark chocolate, I want to know which part of the ice lolly has that flavour before choosing. Around 27% of consumers prioritise this intensity. |
| Allergens and sharing | Read the ingredients and ‘may contain’ warnings on the exact box, then check them against the dietary requirements you know about for the children who are coming. | When serving several children, I need to be able to rule out a recipe that isn’t suitable for their dietary requirements. Around 33% of consumers put this check ahead of other criteria. |
| Portion size and pack format | Compare the number of ice lollies, the weight or volume per lolly and whether the box contains more than one flavour. | If I’m looking for a small portion or a box to share out, the size of each ice lolly matters as much as the number in the box. Around 20% of consumers prioritise this format. |
| Nutritional information | Compare sugars and saturated fatty acids on the same basis, per 100 g or per 100 ml as stated on the label, then consider the portion you’ll serve. | I don’t want to guess the nutritional content from the word ‘dark’ alone; I’d rather compare the figures for the recipes I’m considering. Around 20% of consumers prioritise this comparison. |
Dark chocolate may be just one part of an ice lolly that contains milk ice cream or other dairy ingredients. The Magnum Intense Dark and Trium products described by Auchan and E.Leclerc respectively contain dairy.
Check the ingredients list on the box you’ve chosen rather than relying on the flavour name or packaging colour.
A crunchy coating or assorted box may include nuts and come with other allergen warnings. Ingredients vary from one product to another.
If you’re sharing snacks, check the children’s dietary requirements before choosing a recipe that contains these ingredients or carries these warnings.
This description tells you neither the size of each ice lolly nor its nutritional values. A box of mini ice lollies and a box of larger ones won’t suit the same portion-size needs.
Check the quantity per lolly and compare the nutritional information on a like-for-like basis before deciding how much to serve.
Transport is part of keeping frozen food at the right temperature. Anses advises picking up frozen products at the end of your shop and using an insulated bag.
Put the ice lollies in the freezer as soon as you can and follow the storage instructions on the packaging.
Magnum Intense Dark is an ice lolly for anyone looking for a specific cocoa percentage in the coating.
This E.Leclerc Marque Repère ice lolly combines ice cream described as dark chocolate with a coating also described as dark chocolate.
This product combines cocoa ice cream with a dark chocolate coating and crunchy cocoa pieces.
The product described by Auchan combines chocolate ice cream, caramel sauce, a dark chocolate coating and Brazil nuts.
This assorted box includes an option coated in dark chocolate and may suit anyone mainly looking for small portions and a choice of flavours.
These two products suit different tastes: chocolate ice cream with a dark chocolate coating, or mini mango and passion fruit sorbets coated in dark chocolate. If you’re sharing snacks, check the label on the product you choose in either case.
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Worth considering if your child enjoys chocolate ice cream with a dark chocolate coating and a box of four is a suitable size for snack time.
This product contains milk and soya. Check the other allergen warnings on the exact box before sharing; if a specific cocoa percentage is important to your choice, look for this information on the packaging.
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Worth considering for a small, fruity portion: these are mango and passion fruit sorbets coated in dark chocolate, not ice cream made entirely with chocolate.
This product is not suitable for children under 36 months. It contains soya and carries warnings that it may contain traces of other allergens, including milk and nuts. Check the exact box before sharing at snack time.
No: ‘dark chocolate’ on the packaging doesn’t necessarily describe the whole recipe. The Auchan listing for Magnum Intense Dark and the E.Leclerc listing for Trium both mention dairy ingredients. If you need to avoid milk, check the ingredients for the exact product.
Check the ingredients list and warnings on the box you’re going to serve. The DGCCRF states that allergenic ingredients in prepacked foods must be highlighted. Also check any ‘may contain’ warnings against each child’s dietary requirements.
First compare the number of ice lollies and the quantity in each one, then compare the nutritional values on a like-for-like basis. The DGCCRF states that nutritional information is given per 100 g or 100 ml; where figures per portion are shown, these can then help you assess the amount you’re considering serving.
Pick up frozen products at the end of your shop and carry them in an insulated bag, as advised by Anses. Put them in the freezer as soon as you can and follow the temperature and other storage instructions on the box you’ve chosen.
No: if it appears on the packaging, Nutri-Score is an additional guide, not a substitute for checking the ingredients and nutritional information. To compare the recipes you’re considering, look in particular at sugars and saturated fatty acids per 100 g or 100 ml, then consider the portion you’ll serve.