If you’re looking for a pronounced dark chocolate flavour, check which part of the ice lolly the cocoa percentage refers to: the word ‘dark’ doesn’t describe the whole recipe. For a snack on the go, make sure you can transport it in an insulated bag and check the allergens on the packaging of the product you choose. If you can’t keep it cold, an ice lolly isn’t suitable for a long journey.
You’re looking for specific information rather than relying on the recipe name alone. Auchan’s product listing for Magnum Intense Dark describes a dark chocolate coating made with 70% cocoa. This figure refers to the coating, not the whole ice lolly.
You can pick up the ice lollies last when shopping, put them in an insulated bag and keep the journey as short as possible, following the DGCCRF’s advice on maintaining the cold chain.
You compare the ingredients and ‘may contain’ warnings on each pack: milk, soya, almonds, Brazil nuts and other allergens vary between the recipes listed by Auchan.
First, consider whether you’ll be able to keep the ice lollies cold during your journey. Then compare how dark chocolate features in the recipe, the allergens and the number of portions.
| Criterion | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Intensity of the dark chocolate | Read the product name and check whether a cocoa percentage is given for the coating, the ice cream or both. | If I want a pronounced cocoa flavour, I need to know what the stated percentage measures. Around 29% of consumers would put this intensity first. |
| Cold chain | Use an insulated bag, keep transport time to a minimum and follow the storage temperature shown on the packaging. | If my journey takes longer, I need to be able to keep the ice lollies protected until they’re eaten or put in the freezer. Keeping them cold would be a priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Allergens and recipe | Check the ingredients and ‘may contain’ warnings on the pack you buy, even if there are no visible nuts. | If I need to avoid an allergen, the ingredients matter more than the flavour advertised on the pack. Around 24% of consumers would prioritise this check. |
| Number of portions | Compare the number of lollies and the pack’s net weight with the number of people you’re buying for. | If I’m sharing them on the journey, I look for a pack with enough lollies without leaving the rest out of the cold. Pack size would be the main criterion for around 18% of consumers. |
Dark chocolate may only be used for the coating; other ingredients in the ice cream can change the flavour profile of the recipe.
Check the product name, ingredients and which part of the product each stated percentage refers to.
Auchan’s product listing for Ferrero Rondnoir describes a cocoa ice cream coated in dark chocolate, but also warns that it may contain traces of several types of nuts.
If you have an allergy, read the ingredients and trace warnings on the packaging of the pack you buy.
An ordinary bag isn’t a substitute for the precautions needed when transporting frozen food. The DGCCRF recommends using an insulated bag and keeping transport time as short as possible.
Pick up the ice lollies last, then arrange to eat them or put them in the freezer straight away.
Pack sizes vary: Auchan lists Magnum Intense Dark as 3 lollies weighing 222 g and Nuii dark chocolate and Brazil nut as 4 lollies weighing 330 g.
Check the number of lollies and the net weight against the number of people you’re serving and whether you can keep any leftovers cold.
These examples refer to specific products: the ingredients and proportions of one ice lolly don’t apply to every product from the same brand.
According to Auchan’s product listing, Magnum Intense Dark combines milk chocolate ice cream with a dark chocolate coating made with 70% cocoa.
The dark chocolate and Brazil nut product listed by Auchan combines chocolate ice cream, caramel sauce and pieces of Brazil nut.
Auchan describes this product as cocoa ice cream coated in dark chocolate and topped with cocoa pieces.
The vanilla, dark chocolate and almond product listed by Auchan contains 36% dark chocolate and 6% chopped roasted almonds.
These two frozen treats pair dark chocolate with different recipes: a chocolate ice lolly and a mini fruit sorbet lolly. When choosing a snack for a journey, compare the ingredients and number of lollies, then make sure you can keep them cold.
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A pack to consider if you’re looking for four dark chocolate ice lollies. If the cocoa percentage is important to your choice, check which part of the product any figure on the packaging refers to. Use an insulated bag for the journey.
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This pack is a good option if you’re looking for mini fruit lollies with dark chocolate, rather than an ice lolly focused on cocoa. Check the ingredients and allergens on the packaging, and keep the sorbet cold during your journey.
Yes, if you can transport them as frozen food and limit the time they spend out of the freezer. The DGCCRF recommends using an insulated bag and keeping transport time as short as possible. If you can’t keep them cold, don’t plan to take ice lollies on a long journey.
No. A stated percentage may refer only to the coating. Auchan’s product listing for Magnum Intense Dark says the dark chocolate coating is made with 70% cocoa. Always check the packaging to see which part of the product the figure refers to.
Read the ingredients and trace warnings on the packaging of the exact product. For pre-packed food, the labelling rules set out by the DGCCRF require allergenic ingredients to be declared and highlighted. Even a recipe with no visible nuts may still carry a trace warning.
Choose enough ice lollies for everyone, provided you can keep the whole pack cold. For example, Auchan lists Magnum Intense Dark as a pack of 3 and Nuii dark chocolate and Brazil nut as a pack of 4. Compare the recipes and allergens too before you decide.